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A HISTORY OF 
THE SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



BY 

HENRY H. WRIGHT 



PUBLISHED AT IOWA CITY IOWA IN 1923 BY 
THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA 



EI S07 

6-iV 



LIBRARY OF CONGKfeSS 
RECEIVfcD 

MAY 9 1924 

UUMENTS DIVISION 



THE TORCH PRESS 

CEDAR RAPIDS 

IOWA 



EDITOE'S INTRODUCTION 

This History of the Sixth Iowa Infantry was written 
by General Henry H. Wright who began work on it 
in 1898 after having been elected regimental historian 
at a reunion of the regiment. Not having been pub- 
lished prior to the death of General Wright in 1905, 
the manuscript, together with the author's notes, was 
turned over to Eugene C. Haynes who had been a 
First Lieutenant in Company D and had lost his right 
arm at Atlanta. Later Mr. Haynes sent the material 
to the Historical Department at Des Moines. 

It was during the National Encampment of the 
Grand Army of the Republic at Des Moines in 1922 
that surviving members of the Sixth Iowa Infantry 
made inquiry concerning the publication of General 
Wright's manuscript. Auditor of State Glenn C. 
Haynes, son of Eugene C. Haynes, and Judge Jesse 
Miller, whose father had served as a Lieutenant Colo- 
nel in the Sixth Iowa, volunteered to see what could 
be done in the matter. After consultation with Gov- 
ernor N. E. Kendall and Superintendent of Printing 
Robert Henderson, the manuscript was submitted to 
the State Historical Society of Iowa for publication. 

One section comprising about forty pages of the 
history as compiled by General Wright has already 
appeared in print, as an account of the battle of 



vi EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 

Sliiloh, published in The lowegian, at Centerville, 
Iowa, April 3, 7, and 10, 1903. 

This volume is a detailed history of one of Iowa's 
most famous Civil War regiments from the time it was 
mustered into the United States Volunteer Service 
at Camp Warren, Burlington, Iowa, on July 17 and 
18, 1861, to the time when the final pay and discharge 
papers were received at Camp McClellan, Davenport, 
Iowa, on July 28, 1865. 

It is fitting that the record of this regiment should 
be published, not only that the survivors might have 
a record of their deeds, but that the present and 
future generations might be inspired by their pa- 
triotism and heroism. During the Civil War it ap- 
pears that Iowa, which the census of 1860 credited 
with a population of only 674,916, furnished nine 
regiments of cavalry, fortj^-eight regiments of in- 
fantry, and four batteries of artiller}^ None of these 
had a more brilliant record than the Sixth Iowa. In- 
scribed on its records are such engagements as Shiloh, 
Jackson, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. It accompanied 
Sherman on his famous march to the sea and on his 
Carolina campaign. 

Notes accompanying the author's manuscript show 
that, while eight hundred and eighty- four men were 
originally mustered into the regiment, a total of one 
thousand one hundred and six men were enrolled in 
its ranks between 1861 and 1865. Out of this num- 



EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION vii 

ber, one liundred and fifty were killed or died of 
wounds, one liundred and twenty-four died of disease, 
four hundred and eight were wounded, and eighty- 
two were taken prisoners. So many men were lost 
through death, disability, discharge, and other causes 
that only two hundred and seventy- three remained 
to be mustered out at the close of the war. 

It is evident from the material accompanying the 
manuscript that General Wright intended to publish, 
in connection with this history, a biographical sketch 
of each man enrolled in the regiment. At the time 
of his death he had compiled several hundred such 
accounts and had secured portraits of about one hun- 
dred and seventy members. 

In writing this history it is clear that General 
Wright made liberal use of the War of the Rebellion: 
Official Records and that he had access to the regi- 
mental and company rosters, of which he had complete 
copies. His notes indicate that he also used a diary 
kept by Sergeant Marcellus Westenhaver, a member 
of Company D. He further reenforced his own 
memory by an extended correspondence with surviv- 
ing members of the regiment. As a result he was 
able to give an intimate account of the regiment's 
activities with many anecdotes of army life. While 
emphasizing the part played by the Sixth Iowa, Gen- 
eral Wright has not failed to show its connection with 
the larger organizations — the brigade, division, 
corps, and army. 



viii EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 

Henry H. Wright, the author of this history, was 
born in Wayne County, Indiana, on February 26, 
1840. From there he removed to Centerville, Iowa. 
When the Civil War began he enlisted in w4iat be- 
came Company D of the Sixth Iowa Infantry. He 
served as a private, corporal, and sergeant, and on 
January 1, 1865, was commissioned as Second Lieu- 
tenant. When the company was mustered out, on 
July 21, 1865, he was discharged with the rank of 
First Sergeant. He was reputed to have been one 
of eight men who accompanied the regiment through 
all of its four years of war experience. 

After the war he returned to Centerville, and from 
1866 to 1874 he served as sheriff of Appanoose Coun- 
ty. In 1878 he joined the National Guard and was 
elected First Sergeant of Company E, Fifth Regi- 
ment. He then served successively as Second Lieu- 
tenant, Captain, Colonel, and Brigadier General until 
February 1, 1896, when he was appointed by Governor 
F. M. Drake to be Adjutant General with the rank 
of Major General in the National Guard. He held 
this office until February 1, 1898, after which he en- 
gaged in the abstract business at Centerville. Dur- 
ing these years he devoted much of his time to the 
task of compiling this history — a work which was 
interrupted by his death on April 28, 1905. 

Though General Wright had completed the history 
of the regiment, the manuscript tvsis not in final form 
for publication and consequently has required con- 



EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION ix 

siderable editing. While tlie history is here published 
practically as it was written, some minor changes 
have been made. Wrongly spelled words have been 
corrected ; punctuation has been changed to some ex- 
tent; and carelessly written sentences have been re- 
vised so as to make the meaning clear. It has also 
been found advisable in some cases to change the 
paragraphing by dividing some paragraphs and com- 
bining others. In a similar manner an attempt has 
been made to more nearly equalize the length of the 
chapters. For example, what is now the first chapter 
w^as included in two chapters in the original man- 
uscript. On the other hand, the account now con- 
tained in Chapters XVII, XVIII, XIX, and XX 
was originally embraced in one chapter. 

Xot only has the manuscript been edited to this 
extent, but it has been verified as carefully as pos- 
sible. Statements of facts have been checked with 
the War of the Rebellion: Official Records, with the 
Reports of the Adjutant General of the State of loiua, 
and with other sources. Quotations have been verified, 
and in the comparatively^ few instances where there 
were discrepancies between the facts presented in the 
manuscript and those found in other sources, foot- 
notes have been inserted. In a few instances brackets 
have been used in the text to enclose explanations of 
unfamiliar terms or to indicate obvious errors. At 
the same time it has been the purpose to modify the 
original as little as possible. On the whole, the 
reader will find this historv accurate and reliable. 



EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 



The editing, verification, and preparation of Gen- 
eral Wright's manuscript for the press is largely the 
work of Dr. Erik McKinley Eriksson who deserv^es 
great credit for his careful and critical work. The 
index was prepared by Mr. J. A. Swisher. 

Benj. F. Shambaugh 



Office of the Superintendent and Editor 

The State Historical Society of Iowa 

Iowa City Iowa 1923 



CONTENTS 



Editor's Introduction .... 

I. The Call to Arms 

II. The First Hostilities 

III. Missouri Camps 

IV. Campaigning in Missouri 
V. On to Shiloh 

VI. The Battle of Shiloh 

VII. After the Battle of Shiloh 

VIII. Corinth and Memphis . 

IX. Camp at Memphis 

X. The Yockna ]\Iarch . 

XI. Winter Camp at Grand Junction 

XII. Raids in North Mississippi . 

XIII. ViCKSBURG AND JONES FORD . 

XIV. The Jackson Campaign 
XV. Chattanooga 

XVI. Knoxville and Scottsboro . 

XVII. The Battle of Resaca . 

XVIII. Dallas : New Hope Church : Big Shanty 



1 

13 
25 

37 

57 

76 

93 

106 

127 

142 

162 

177 

193 

206 

219 

244 

261 

275 



xii CONTENTS 

XIX. The Battle of Kenesaw Mountain 

XX. Ezra Church and Jonesborough 

XXI. The Pursuit of Hood . 

J XXII. The Battle of Griswoldville 

>/ XXIII. The March to the Sea 

y XXIV. The Advance on Columbia . 

v' XXV. The March to Fayetteville 

XXVI. Fayetteville to Goldsborough 

XXVII. Goldsborough to Raleigh . 

XXVIII. Raleigh to Washington 

XXIX. Homeward March: Muster Out 

Index 



290 
309 
333 
355 
372 
392 
409 
425 
439 
459 
477 
497 



THE CALL TO ARMS 

It is the task assumed in compiling these pages to trace 
the course of events in a mighty struggle, and faithfully 
describe the battles, skiraiishes, incidents, toils, dangers, 
and hardships endured by the men who composed the 
rank and file of the Sixth Iowa Infantry Volunteers in 
the War of the Rebellion, from 1861 to 1865. 

For the purpose of this narrative, it is not deemed 
necessarj^ to refer to the political history of the country 
leading up to that period, which witnessed the climax 
of the long impending strife between the north and south 
sections of the country — the free and the slave portions 
of the Union. 

The Federal government at Washington City and the 
people of the northern States, with great unanimity and 
enthusiasm, recognized the southern insurrection to be 
a gigantic rebellion to divide and destroy the American 
Union ; while the southern people, mth equal enthusiasm 
and unanimity of purpose, conceived the idea that it was 
a struggle for the preservation of constitutional freedom, 
local self government, and the protection of their insti- 
tutions and property — including negro slavery. 

The hostile guns in Charleston harbor that fired on the 
American flag floating over Fort Sumter on that eventful 
morning of April 12, 1861 — "heard around the world" 
— aroused the people of the northern States to a realiza- 
tion of the critical situation confronting the government 
at AVashington. 



2 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

President Lincoln's proclamation for 75,000 volun- 
teers, to suppress the insurrection and reestablish the 
authority of the government quickly followed, and the 
news spread into every hamlet and home in the State. 
Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood took prompt action under 
the call for troops, and the broad prairies of the young 
State of Iowa were soon resounding with music for the 
Union. The patriotic enthusiasm of the young men who 
enrolled as volunteers at every village, town, and neigh- 
borhood throughout the State was unbounded. 

Companies in the large towns and cities were organized 
first and filled the State quota under the first call for vol- 
unteers to ser\^e for three months ; but active recruiting 
went on in anticipation of additional calls and requisitions 
by the government. Patriotic ardor and enthusiasm in- 
creased among the people as the prospects for war de- 
veloped, till organized companies and detachments were 
marching and drilling in every neighborhood. It was 
under such inspiring circumstances that the organizations 
which afterwards composed the ten companies forming 
the Sixth Iowa Infantry Volunteers were enrolled under 
the laws of the State. 

Governor Kirkwood had recognized the following or- 
ganizations as companies, under the State laws, pending 
the further requisitions of the government, viz : ' ' Marion 
Light Guards", Captain Hosea W. Gray, at Marion, Linn 
County; ''Lucas County Guards", Captain Daniel Ise- 
minger, at Chariton, Lucas County; "Union Guards", 
Captain David M. Stump, at Eldora, Hardin County; 
"Appanoose Volunteers ' ', Captain Madison M. "Walden, at 
Centerville, Appanoose County ; ' ' Monroe Guards ' ', Cap- 
tain Henry Saunders, at Albia, Monroe County ; ' ' Clarke 
County Guards", Captain Samuel P. Glenn, at Osceola, 



THE CALL TO AKMS 3 

Clarke County; "Union Guards", Captain John Wil- 
liams, at North Liberty, Johnson County; "Montrose 
Guards", Captain Washington Galland, at Montrose, Lee 
County; "Burlington Blues", Captain Joseph S. Halli- 
day, at Burlington, Des Moines County; and the "Tippe- 
canoe Guards", Captain Richard E. A\Tiite, at Rome, 
Henry County. 

The second call for troops was made soon after the 
first, and was for volunteers to serve three years or dur- 
ing the war. Under that call the Second and Third In- 
fantry- regiments were organized and mustered into the 
U. S. Volunteer Service, during the month of May. A 
most determined effort was made by all the enrolled com- 
panies in the State to secure a place in these two regi- 
ments, and those who failed — most of them — gave up 
getting into the seindce at all. At some of the stations the 
companies partly disbanded and the men were allowed to 
seek service in more favored organizations. During the 
month of June three more regiments of infantry and one 
of cavalry were called for by the Govenior of the State 
and ordered to rendezvous in the city of Burlington. 
The enrolled companies designated to fill these regiments 
were ordered into quarters June 25th, whereupon they 
assembled at their respective stations, and commenced 
drilling and preparing for actual service. Active re- 
cruiting was at once commenced in all the companies to 
fill the ranks up to the required number, and for that 
purpose partly organized companies and small squads 
from adjacent villages were consolidated mth the com- 
panies at county seats or those of other towns which had 
been ordered into quarters. It was by such an arrange- 
ment that Edwin F. Alden, mth a squad from Hopeville, 
Clarke County, and George Alverson, with a few men 



4 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

from Corydon, Wayne County, joined the ''Lucas County 
Guards" at Chariton; H. C. Clock, with the men enlisted 
in Franklin County, and William H. Oviatt from Iowa 
Falls joined Captain Stump at Eldora and became a 
part of the ''Red Shirt" company; David C. Ely, with 
the Marion County men and the crowd from Lovilla, en- 
listed under Captain Saunders at Albia; Captain Wil- 
liams organized at Iowa City with his "Union Guards" 
from North Liberty and squads from Oxford, Cedar 
Bluffs, Copi, Dayton and Solon; George R. Nunn, with 
the Keokuk squad, consolidated with the "Montrose 
Guards" under Captain Galland; the "Burlington Blues" 
reorganized under Captain Fabian Brydolf and took in 
the remnant of the company at Wapello, Louisa County ; 
and Captain White, with his "Tippecanoe Guards", join- 
ed Captain Wilson D. Deniston at Mount Pleasant, Henry 
County, and organized with Deniston as Captain, James 
Brunaugh as First-Lieutenant and Richard E. White as 
Second-Lieutenant, having embraced in the company the 
squads from New London, Salem and Hillsboro in Henry 
County and the small contingent from Athens, Clarke 
County, Missouri. The reorganizations and consolida- 
tions thus effected caused some friction among those who 
contemplated serving as officers, but those who refused 
to go in the ranks or in subordinate positions were al- 
lowed to drop out and remain at home. 

When the orders were received for the companies to 
proceed to the rendezvous in Burlington, on July 8th, 
nearly all were ready to march w^ith their ranks full. 
Those located in the interior of the State made long 
journeys in farm wagons to the Mississippi River and to 
the western termini of the two or three short lines of 
railroad, then in operation in the eastern portion of the 
State. 



THE CALL TO ARMS 5 

The Des Moines County Fair Grounds, located in the 
high country just back of the city of Burlington, were 
selected as the rendezvous camp for the infantry regi- 
ments, and named Camp Warren in honor of the Hon- 
orable Fitz Henry Warren of that city, who had been 
commissioned as Colonel of the First Iowa Cavalry Eegi- 
ment, then in process of organization at the cavalry camp 
near Camp Warren. 

The ten companies were all assembled in Camp Warren, 
on July 12th ready to be mustered into the United States 
Volunteer Service for the war. The companies which 
were to compose the Fifth and Seventh regiments of in- 
fantry were also assembled in Camp Warren at the same 
time, making a force of nearly 3000 men. Such a large 
number of men suddenly brought together from nearly 
every calling in life, but mostly from the farms, taxed to 
the utmost the limited resources of the State. Facilities 
and accommodations for the comfort and subsistence of 
the men were meager, and the officers and authorities 
were unskilled as to their care. 

The meals were furnished by contractors and served 
in the large halls and sheds connected with the fair 
grounds, where the men assembled by the hundreds mth- 
out much regard to order, and ate almost ravenously of 
the great heaps of meat, bread, and vegetables, and bar- 
rels of coffee and tea. 

On July 17, 1861, at Camp Warren, in the city of Bur- 
lington, Des Moines County, Iowa, the organization of tlie 
Sixth Iowa Infantry Volunteers was effected with field 
and staff officers commissioned as follows: Colonel, 
John Adair McDowell of Keokuk; Major, John Murray 
Corse of Burlington ; Assistant-Surgeon, John E. Lake of 
Marion; Chaplain, John Ufford of Muscatine. 



6 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Companies were accepted and assigned as follows : — 

COMPANY A 

''Marion Light Guards" of Marion, Linn County: 
Captain, Hosea W. Gray; First-Lieutenant, Tarlton 
Caldwell; Second-Lieutenant, Willard H. Harland; 13 
non-commissioned officers, 1 musician, 1 wagoner, and 69 
privates; total, 87 men; mustered in, July 17, 1861. 

COMPANY E 

"Lucas County Guards" of Chariton, Lucas County: 
Captain, Daniel Iseminger; First-Lieutenant, Emmet B. 
Woodward; Second-Lieutenant, Eugene E. Edwards; 13 
non-commissioned officers, 2 musicians, 1 wagoner, and 
66 privates ; total, 85 men ; mustered in, July 17, 1861. 

COMPANY C 

''Union Guards" of Eldora, Hardin County: Captain, 
David M. Stump ; First-Lieutenant, Abraham B. Harris ; 
Second-Lieutenant, Philander Lockard; 12 non-commis- 
sioned officers, 1 musician, 1 wagoner, and 66 privates; 
total, 83 men ; mustered in, July 17, 1861. 

COMPANY D 

"Appanoose Volunteers" of Centerville, Appanoose 
County : Captain, Madison M. Walden ; First-Lieutenant, 
John L. Bashore; Second-Lieutenant, William A. E. 
Rhodes; 13 non-commissioned officers, 2 musicians, 1 
wagoner, and 68 privates; total, 87 men; mustered in, 
July 17, 1861.^ 

COMPANY E 

"Monroe Guards" of Albia, Monroe County: Captain, 



1 The roster of Company D lists only one musician and a total of eighty- 
six men. — Eeport of tlie Adjutant General of Iowa, 1861, pp. 133-135. 



THE CALL TO ARMS 7 

Henrj^ Saunders; First-Lieutenant, Calvin Kelsey; Sec- 
ond-Lieutenant, Leander C. Allison; 13 non-conunissioned 
officers, 2 musicians, 1 wagoner, and 68 privates; total, 
87 men; mustered in, July 17, 1861. 

COMPAl^ F 

''Clarke County Guards" of Osceola, Clarke County: 
Captain, Samuel P. Glenn ; First-Lieutenant, Calvin Min- 
ton; Second-Lieutenant, John T. Grimes; 13 non-com- 
missioned officers, 2 musicians, 1 wagoner, and 65 pri- 
vates ; total, 84 men ; mustered in, July 17, 1861. 

COMPANY G 

** Union Guards" of North Liberty and Iowa City, 
Johnson County: Captain, John Williams; First-Lieu- 
tenant, Alexander J. Miller; Second-Lieutenant, Joseph 
M. Douglas; 13 non-commissioned officers, 2 musicians, 
and 65 privates ; total, 83 men ; mustered in, July 18, 1861. 

COMPANY H 

''Montrose Guards" of Montrose, Lee County: Cap- 
tain, Washington Galland ; First-Lieutenant, Euf us Good- 
nough; Second-Lieutenant, George E. Xunn; 13 non- 
commissioned officers, 2 musicians, 1 wagoner, and 66 
privates; total, 85 men; mustered in, July 17, 1861.^ 

COMPANY I 

"Burlington Blues" of Burlington, Des Moines Coun- 
ty: Captain, Fabian Biydolf ; First-Lieutenant, Joseph 
S. Halliday; Second-Lieutenant, Samuel B. Philips; 13 
non-commissioned officers, 1 wagoner, and 69 privates; 
total, 86 men; mustered in, July 18, 1861. 



2 The State Adjutant General's report gives the total rank and file of 
Company H as eighty-four men. — Seport of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 
1861, pp. 142-144. 



SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



COMPANY K 



"Tippecanoe Guards" of Rome and Mount Pleasant, 
Henry County: Captain, Wilson D. Deniston; First- 
Lieutenant, James Brunaugh; Second -Lieutenant, Rich- 
ard E. White; 13 non-commissioned officers, 1 musician, 
1 wagoner, and 73 privates; total, 91 men; mustered in, 
July 18, 1861.^ 

Lieutenant Emmet B. Woodward was at once selected 
and assigned to duty as Regimental Adjutant, and Lieu- 
tenant James Brunaugh as Regimental Quartermaster. 
Regimental non-commissioned officers were selected and 
appointed, as follows: sergeant-major, Beverly Searcy 
— promoted from first-sergeant of Company I ; quarter- 
master-sergeant, William H. Clune — promoted from 
private in Company D; commissary-sergeant, Byron K. 
Cowles, — promoted from private in Company A. 

Philander Lockard was mustered in as Second- 
Lieutenant in Company C, with the understanding that 
Robert Allison, who had been elected to the position and 
commissioned by the Governor of Iowa, but who was then 
at home recruiting for the company, should have the posi- 
tion on his return to the company. According to the 
agreement Lockard resigned, July 22nd, and was re- 
mustered into the company as a private, and Robert 
Allison was duly mustered and commissioned as Second- 
Lieutenant in the company, on July 22, 1861. 

Under the personal supervision of Colonel McDowell 
the organization of a regimental band was begun, and the 
following skilled musicians were mustered into the U. S. 
Volunteer Service: Richard Maddern as leader, and 



3 The roster of Company K in the Adjutant General's report does not 
list any musician. It lists five wagoners and a total of ninety men. — 
Beport of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 1861, pp. 147-149. 



THE CALL TO ARMS 9 

>igismond I. Gates, Charles Hirt, Julius C. Wright, Wil- 
lam Maddern, Morris Peck, Edward Pipe, George 
lobertson, and George W. Titus, as musicians. 

The young men composing the rank and file of the 
egiment were drawn from the best brain and brawn and 
he best pioneer blood of the western prairies. Their 
tarents had emigrated in an early day to the new country 
hen opening up west of the Mississippi River, where 
hey were inured to the severities of rugged pioneer life. 
Nitli the glow of health on their cheeks, the fire of patri- 
>tic enthusiasm sparkling in their eyes, their hearts 
;welling with manly pride, honest but untutored in the 
dies of the world, earnest in their devotions to the 
)rinciples of liberty, they were ready and willing to try 
he pending issue at arms squarely, and never flinch or 
[uail, when the day of trial and danger should come. 

The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh regiments of infantry 
vhich had assembled in Camp Warren, together with the 
roops in the cavalry camps, formed a body of men very 
mposing and quite formidable as a military force, in the 
;yes of the young volunteers. 

The nice distinctions of military etiquette to be ob- 
served in social relations between the ofiicers and en- 
isted men had not been learned at that time, and it was 
lot an unusual occurrence to see officers engaged with 
;he men in all the athletic sports and amusements of the 
3amps. It was a source of much satisfaction and pride 
'or the men of the Sixth Regiment, when Captain Walden 
)f Company D proved to be the champion jumper in the 
iamp. 

The daily news of conflicts in Virginia and fierce skir- 
nishes in Kentucky and Missouri between the hastily 
organized forces on both sides, which were dignified as 



10 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

battles at that time, gave to the situation a very serious 
aspect as to the probable severity and duration of the 
struggle. It was only a few days after the regiment was 
mustered into the service that the news of the battle of 
Bull Run, fought in Virginia near Washington City, was 
received, where General Irvin McDowell, brother of Colo- 
nel John Adair McDowell, was in command of the Union 
forces. The first reports received by telegraph of the 
engagement were exaggerated and highly sensational, 
and, as they were spread among the men, the whole camp 
was aroused to a high state of excitement. 

Many had confidently predicted that the war would be 
over before the regiments then organizing would be or- 
dered to the front, or get outside of the State boundary. 
It was at about the same time that an order was received 
by telegraph from the War Department for the Sixth 
Iowa to proceed at once to Washington City, which was 
hailed by the young men with great rejoicing, but with 
the most profound seriousness by the older and more 
thoughtful men in the service, and by those who were 
charged mth the conduct of public affairs in the State. 
In the general calamity that was reported to have hap- 
pened to the Union Army at Bull Run, Colonel McDowell 
received and read to the assembled crowd at his head- 
quarters in the camp a telegram announcing the death 
of his brother, saying he had been slain in the battle at 
the head of his army. While reading the telegram great 
tears streamed down the strong and manly face of Colo- 
nel McDowell, presenting an object lesson to the embryo 
soldiers who were spoiling for a fight. Fortunately for 
General McDowell, his brother, and the country, the tele- 
gram was untrue and he was not killed, but the Union 
defeat in the battle and the changed conditions in the 
command of that army, probably, caused the marching 



THE CALL TO ARMS 11 

)rders for the Sixth Iowa to be countermanded. Had the 
)rders not been countermanded the Army of the Potomac 
*vould have had one Iowa regiment linked with its bril- 
iant history in the war, as were several of the early 
•egiments from the western States. 

The supply for the meals furnished by the contractors 
►vas abundant, but the cooking and facilities for sei*ving 
ivere horrid — grub, dirt, and flies was the general mix- 
:ure. Three meals were served each day consisting of: 
^resh beef, boiled; bakers bread, raised with yeast 
5ponge ; boiled vegetables ; coffee and tea — ^\ith an abun- 
iance of sugar. Not many of the men were accustomed 
:o the use of fresh beef at that season of the year, and 
t was seldom that any of them used bakers bread at 
;heir homes, so that, when they partook in such large 
quantity of the prepared food and were forced by the 
3ircumstances to inactivity, as compared with their active 
labits of life on the farms, many developed camp 
iiseases and ailments. The arrangement w^as soon made 
to issue the army ration to the companies and then have 
the food prepared by company cooks ; each man supply- 
ing himself wdth a tin cup and plate, knife, fork, and 
spoon. This gave much better satisfaction, and improved 
the health in the camp. 

It was on Sunday evening, July 21st, that the regiment 
liad its first dress parade, which was held in the meadow 
adjoining the camp. Colonel McDowell reviewed the 
parade, the new band played. Lieutenant Woodward was 
the Adjutant, Beverly Searcy — ' ' the Superb ' ' — per- 
formed as sergeant-major, and it was at tliis ceremony 
that the men had the first sight of Major John M. Corse 
— stepping high in the long grass, when closing to the 
center vnih the officers. 

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood was present, accom- 



12 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

panied by several citizens from the city of Burlington 
and other portions of the State, and witnessed the parade, 
visited the camps, and inspected the troops in quarters. 
He was greeted with hearty cheers by the men in all the 
commands. 

Much speculation was rife at all times in the camps 
concerning the probability of seeing service at the front; 
when clothing would be furnished ; guns and ammunition 
issued ; and when the State would pay for tramping down 
the dog-fennel in three dozen towns in Iowa. 

A consolidated return of the field and staff, band, and 
the ten companies, made on August 2, 1861, showed a 
total strength in the regiment of 870 men. In this num- 
ber were included five regimental field and staff officers, 
thirty company officers, one hundred and twenty-nine 
non-commissioned officers, nine regimental musicians, 
fifteen company musicians, nine company wagoners, and 
six hundred and seventy-three privates. 

The Fifth Eegiment was the first to get marching 
orders, which were published in the camp on August 2nd, 
and during the afternoon the command marched to the 
city and embarked on a steamer for down the river. 

At the dress parade the same evening the Sixth Regi- 
ment received marching orders for the next morning at 
6 a. m., with two days cooked rations. There was great 
enthusiasm throughout the camp during the evening; 
letters were hastily penned to the folks at home ; bands 
serenaded at headquarters; men marched in great 
throngs through the camps singing and shouting; and 
the whole camp was in an uproar, until a late hour. 



II 

THE FIEST HOSTILITIES 

At the break of day, August 3rd, the bugles and drums 
sounded the reveille in Camp Warren, when the troops 
were all alert for the start. At 6 o'clock a. m., the regi- 
ment was formed in line, at the command, the column in 
four ranks filed out of camp and took up the line of 
march for the levee in the city. 

There is something solemn, yet soul-stirring, in the 
solid tramp of a large body of men as they depart for 
some scene of deadly strife, with colors flying in the 
breeze. The strains of martial music, the shrill notes 
of the fife, and the roll of the stirring drums, all cause 
the heart to swell with patriotic enthusiasm. 

The march from the camp to the levee was a grand 
ovation to the regiment. The dwellings, laAvns, and 
streets were crowded with a countless mass of people — 
men, women, and children — shouting with enthusiasm 
and bidding farewell to the departing soldiers. 

It was the first march for the regiment and the final 
farewell greeting for many of the noble young men in 
its ranks, on that day. The certainty that calamity 
would befall some in the future was manifested by the 
heartfelt expressions for the safe return of each and all, 
as the column marched along. Traces of deep emotion 
were visible on many fair and lovely faces as farewells 
were waved, on that bright summer day. 

While the column was passing down Jefferson Street 
approaching the levee, an enthusiastic admirer remarked : 

13 



14 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

"There goes a body of men who mil make their mark on 
the battlefield". The story of the regiment's service in 
the war mil prove the correctness of the confident and 
friendly prediction. 

The non-arrival of the steamer intended for the trans- 
portation of the command caused a long tiresome wait 
on the levee, under a burning August sun. The shrill 
scream of a steam whistle far down the river was the 
welcome signal of the steamer's coming. 

Soon after 12 o'clock noon the regiment was marched 
on board, and, amid strains of sweet music by the bands, 
the farewell shouts of loving relatives and friends on the 
shore, and the enthusiastic cheering of the soldiers, the 
boat cast loose from its moorings, swung out in mid- 
stream and steamed away, headed do^^nQ the Mississippi 
River for "Dixie's Land". A few hours pleasant ride 
and the city of Fort Madison was reached at 4 p. m., 
where the troops disembarked and proceeded thence by 
railroad to Keokuk. They arrived in that city at 7 p. m., 
and were quartered by squads and by companies in up- 
stairs rooms of the business blocks of the city. The 
transfer from the steamer to the cars at Fort Madison 
was made on account of the low stage of water in the 
river on the Des Moines Rapids, which extend from that 
city to Keokuk. 

Alarming rumors were current on the streets of the 
city and spread among the troops in their quarters of 
large secession forces being organized in North Missouri, 
who were ready to march north and invade Iowa. Citi- 
zens and soldiers were continually kept in a state of fev- 
ered excitement by the reports circulated that Colonel 
Martin Green — a noted secession leader in Missouri — 
was at Alexandria, Missouri, just a few miles below the 



FIRST HOSTILITIES 15 

3ity, with 1500 Missouri secessionists, all well armed and 
9quipped for battle. Such reports created the wildest 
3onstemation in the city, because of the known inade- 
quate means of defense, at hand. The troops were still 
ivithout arms and powerless in the face of such formid- 
able forces as the enemy approaching was reported to be. 
[t was in the midst of such flying reports and nerve 
iestroying excitement that the Sabbath day was spent in 
ihe beautiful ''Gate City" of Iowa. The weather con- 
tinued hot and it was so oppressive at night that large 
lumbers of the men abandoned the buildings and sought 
the open air by spreading their blankets on the sidewalks 
;o catch an hour or two of refreshing sleep. 

The scattered condition of the companies in the city 
:ended to break up the regimental organization and dis- 
cipline ; each company commander became a dictator unto 
limself and made his owm orders, which were enforced in 
I very lax manner. Patriotism and enthusiasm were un- 
3ounded, but the elements of military discipline were al- 
nost entirely lacking throughout all the commands. 

It was at Camp Warren that Colonel W. H. Worthing- 
:on, commanding the Fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, 
received orders from the War Department to move mth 
;he Fifth and Sixth regiments to Keokuk and report to 
Brigadier-General John Pope, then commanding the 
Jnion forces in North Missouri and guarding the line of 
;he Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. The movement 
vas successfully accomplished, and both regiments quar- 
tered in the city by 7 p. m., Saturday, August 3rd, 

On Monday, Aug-ust 5th, before daylight in the morning, 
I messenger arrived in the city from Athens, Missouri, 
^vith the startling information that 1500 secessionists, 
mder Colonel Martin Green, were marching on that 



16 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

place, situated on the south bank of the Des Moines 
Eiver, opposite to Croton, Iowa, a station on the line oi 
the Des Moines Valley Railroad, fourteen miles from th( 
city of Keokuk, to attack Colonel David Moore, who was 
then stationed at Athens with a Union force of three oi 
four hundred men composed of new recruits and hom( 
guards, indifferently armed with all patterns of firearms 
The long roll was beat on the drums, at the street corneri 
throughout the city, arousing the troops and all the in 
habitants of the city from their early morning slumben 
to a knowledge of the great and impending danger 
There was an excited state of anxiety, on the part of citi 
zens and soldiers, to learn the particulars contained h 
the dispatches which had required the spirited call t< 
arms. 

Three companies of the Sixth Regiment — Company D 
Captain Walden commanding. Company I, Captain Bry 
dolf commanding, and Company K, Lieutenant Whit 
commanding, were marched to a large building near tli 
levee, where new Springfield muskets, with accouterment 
and ammunition were issued to the men, and then th 
command was immediately embarked on board cars on th 
Des Moines Valley Railroad, and started for the scene o 
threatened hostilities. Other messengers from the seen 
of action were encountered while en route, who reportei 
the most dire disaster to the Union forces, representin 
the secessionists driving the Union men across the rive 
into Iowa, and large numbers killed and wounded on bot 
sides. 

The most intense excitement and anxiety was arouse 
among the troops on board the slow speeding train, ii 
eluding Colonel McDowell and the other officers, whoi 
all expected would lead where danger threatened, an 



FIRST HOSTILITIES 17 

ispire the men in the ranks by their exhibition of cool 
ad determined courage. The route of the railroad lay 
long the north bank of the Des Moines River, and, it be- 
ig the line between Iowa and the State of Missouri, the 
)utli bank was scanned with eager eyes to discover the 
lemy, who was believed to be lurking behind every tree 
Qd ambushed at every turn in the road. The men were 
["owded into old box cars and flat cars — used by the rail- 
Dad company as dirt cars and stock cars — with only 
;anding room, and no accommodations for sitting down. 

It was in that disorganized condition that the raw vol- 
titeers were huddled together, when the train was 
;opped two miles from Croton and within hearing of the 
inflict, to interrogate the fleeing citizens concerning the 
tuation at the depot in Iowa. In their delirium of 
:*ight it was difficult to obtain intelligent or reliable in- 
)rmation from them, but all agreed that the Union forces 
ere being badly defeated, and that they had been driven 
sross the river to the Iowa side, where they were being 
it all to pieces. Before starting forward again, Colonel 
[cDowell passed through the train ordering cartridges 
istributed to the men, guns loaded, bayonets fixed and 
i^ery man standing ready to leap from the car when the 
'ain arrived at the depot. The command was given to 
^ain move forward, when the noise of the old squeaky 
Qgine and rickety cars dro^vned all sounds of the dis- 
int conflict. Thus the train arrived at the Croton sta- 
on, where it was greeted by a large crowd of Union 
eople and given a hearty reception. 

On the approach of the train, the enemy, at Athens on 
le south side of the river, commenced a hasty retreat, 
nd the battle was ended. The troops were quickly un- 
)aded and marched thence to the river where Colonel 



18 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

McDowell ordered the men to take off their shoes anc 
stockings, roll up their pants and proceed to wade th( 
Des Moines River, which was knee deep and about twc 
hundred yards wide. It was soon learned that Colone 
Martin Green with his band of Missouri secessionists 
had abandoned the field and fled south in a demoralizec 
condition. The only participation had in the affair aftei 
arriving on the field was by a detail of advance skirmish 
ers, who fired a few parting shots at some stragglers ii 
the rear of the enemy's fleeing forces. 

According to accounts given, a force, said to be fifteei 
hundred armed men with three pieces of artillery, hac 
charged in at daylight upon the three hundred Union mer 
occupying the hamlet of Athens, pouring in volleys oJ 
musketry, yelling like demons, firing solid shot and dis 
charges of slugs from their cannon, most of which wer( 
aimed high and passed over the river where they lodgec 
in the low hills back of Croton. The battle raged w^itl 
great fury for several hours, the Union men holding sub 
stantially their position in the town. When the reen 
forcements were seen approaching, the Union men tool 
courage and charged with great gallantry, dispersing th( 
enemy in utter rout and confusion. There were twc 
Union men killed in the affair and fifteen wounded; tin 
loss of the enemy was never definitely reported, but was 
believed to be more than double that of the Union side. 

During the afternoon Colonel Worthington, in com 
mand of three more companies of the Sixth Iowa and fiv( 
companies of the Fifth Iowa (all he could get arms for) 
arrived on the battlefield as reenforcements. At 3 p. m 
the enemy sent in a request, under a flag of truce, to re 
cover and bury their dead, which was granted. At nigh' 
the outposts and all guards were stationed with specia 



FIRST HOSTILITIES 19 

are, so the enemy could not again approach the camps, 
ithout the alarm being given in sufficient time for the 
:oops to be called to arms, ready for action. The troops 
[ept on arms ready for any emergency, and the false 
larms raised during the night added spirit to the situ- 
tion. The next day the Home Guards, commanded by 
iolonel David Moore, commenced preparing for a vigor- 
as pursuit to drive the armed and organized secession- 
;ts out of Northeast Missouri. At 5 p. m., August 6th, 
le three companies of the Sixth Iowa, under Colonel 
[cDowell, and the troops commanded by Colonel Worth- 
igton were embarked on the cars at Croton and re- 
irned to the city of Keokuk, where they arrived at 6 p. 
1., in the midst of an applauding population. 

The Athens affair was insignificant, when rated as a 
attle, but, at that early period of the war and to those 
'ho joarticipated in it, the tragedy there enacted was 
ery exciting and of the greatest consequence. It was a 
isson in real war alike for officer and private, which 
emonstrated clearly the absolute necessity for thorough 
rganization and strict military discipline, before a com- 
land could be made effective in camp duties, on the 
larch, and in the ordeal of battle. The men and officers 
f all the commands showed a commendable ^villingness 
t all times to engage the enemj^ in battle, and their 
ourage in the face of danger was never doubted ; so that, 
dth intelligent and skillful direction, they would have 
een reasonably effective in battle. The fact that the 
nemy was equally deficient in military knowledge placed 
tie contending forces on equal terms, in that respect. 

The abandoned stores, mills, and dwelling houses in 
tie village of Athens were wantonly pillaged, without re- 
ard to friend or foe, rich or poor; officers seemed to vie 



20 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

with the men in reckless appropriation and destructioi 
of private property. 

On August 8th, a report was sent in from Athens, whicl; 
caused the command to be started back to that place, bu1 
before proceeding very far on the cars the reported re 
newal of the fight was learned to be false, and the com- 
mand returned to the city. 

The men of the Sixth Iowa had left their homes wit! 
the understanding — however obtained — that it was noi 
necessary to be provided with a change of clothing, thai 
the State of Iowa or the United States government woulc 
furnish new uniforms and equipment for all just as sooi 
as the volunteers were accepted and mustered into th( 
United States service. Thirty days had elapsed and nc 
issue by the State or government had been made, anc 
many in the ranks were beginning to look shabby anc 
dirty. It was on August 7th that the first issue waj 
made, consisting of a limited number of pairs of graj 
pants and coarse shoes, which were distributed to thos( 
most needy. The arms, which were only issued to th( 
men temporarily for the Athens affair, were all returnee 
to the buildings y/here they had been received, near th( 
levee. 

Pursuant to orders, issued by Major-General John C 
Fremont, commanding the Western Department — wit! 
headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri, the regiment begai 
making preparations for the movement down the Missis 
sippi River. Great armies were being assembled and or 
ganized at St. Louis, Cairo, and Louisville, in the West 
ern Department, with strong advance forces and outpostj 
stationed at interior points and along the Mississippi anc 
Missouri rivers. The prospect of soon being assignee 
to a place in the grand army, then organizing to open th( 



FIRST HOSTILITIES 21 

iississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico and suppress 
be rebellion in the West, was hailed with demonstrations 
f delight by all the men. The coming of General Fre- 
lont to command the western forces had inspired con- 
dence and great enthusiasm in the army and among the 
Fnion people throughout the whole northwestern country. 

On Fridaj^ morning, August 9th, all the companies 
T^ere assembled and the regiment marched with martial 
nd band music to the levee, where it embarked on board 
tie handsome steamer ''War Eagle", amid the shouts 
nd cordial good-byes of its thousands of friends, and 
ie lusty responsive cheers of the departing soldiers, 
^he beautiful palace steamer, with its cargo of eight hun- 
red Iowa boys, swung out into the middle of the river in 

roar of steam whistles, clanging bells, playing bands, 
nd the loud hurrahs of soldiers and citizens, presenting 

scene grand and inspiring — never to be forgotten. 

The trip down the river was A\ithout special incident, 
ut was greatly enjoyed by all. The river at the time 
^as at a low stage of water and the ''War Eagle", being 
ne of the largest of river steamers, made slow progress 
n account of frequently getting aground on sandbars. At 
ne time the boat was hard fast on a bar for several hours, 
t was the first experience on board a large steamboat for 
lany of the young men in the regiments, and everything 
bout the boat had soon passed under the inspection of 
leir critical and enquiring minds, from the bottom of 
le hold to the hurricane deck. The man at the bow of 
le boat taking the soundings with lead and line, and re- 
orting the depth of water to the pilot far up in the pilot- 
ouse, was one of the interesting and amusing features, 
[uch practice was indulged in by the men to learn the 
alls and imitate the peculiar drawling sound of voice, 



22 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

when reporting the stage of water and the response from 
the pilot-honse, repeating it. Many had learned before 
a day passed to repeat the calls with great skill and ac- 
curacy, thus — ' ' f -o-u-r feet ! " — s-i-x feet ! "— ' ' e-i-g-h-t 
feet!" — m-a-r-k twain!" — ''n-o bottom!" — which 
caused some ridiculous complications in the boat's disci- 
pline and much amusement for the men. 

The ''War Eagle" arrived at the city of St. Louis dur- 
ing Saturday afternoon, August 10th, and steamed down 
past the city and the crowded levee to where the troops 
were landed and camped for the night on the bank of the 
river just above the U. S. Arsenal. The sixty or seventy 
Mississippi and Missouri river steamboats moored at 
the levee, receiving and discharging their cargoes, to- 
gether with the hugh piles of freight, army stores, muni- 
tions of war, and the thousands of marching soldiers — 
all contributed to a scene of activity and a display of war 
preparation, which furnished an object lesson and a sort 
of realization of the magnitude of the preparations be- 
ing made by the government for the suppression of the 
great southern insurrection. 

It was while securing firewood along the bank of the 
river to prepare the evening meal, to which a vigorous 
protest was made by the owners, that Captain Henry 
Saunders, commanding Company E, announced the fam- 
ous order, ' ' Stand firm Company E and take all the wood 
you want"; which afterwards became famous throughout 
the army, wherever the regiment served. 

The next morning, August 11th, the regiment was re- 
embarked on board the steamer and proceeded down the 
river twelve miles to Jefferson Barracks, the United 
States military post situated on the west bank of the 
river, where it was disembarked and went into camp in 



FIRST HOSTILITIES 23 

lie woods on the high bluff below the barracks on the 
ovemment grounds — without tents or arms. During 
tie night the troops were drenched in a violent rain- 
torm — giving everybody a good thorough soaking. An 
ssue of woolen blankets was made to the regiment while 
t the post. 

A large number of troops were encamped on the reser- 
ation and about the barracks. New commands and regi- 
lents were arriving almost hourly, giving to the place 
n importance as a great military rendezvous. 

The troops were kept in a fever of excitement by the 
ying reports and camp rumors of large forces of the 
nemy approaching from the interior for the capture of 
le post and the reoccupation of the city of St. Louis, 
enerals Sterling Price and Benjamin McCulloch were 
lentioned as being the great chieftains in Missouri and 
.rkansas. They were reckoned to be marching north 
ith an army of ' ' Texas Rangers ' V ' Arkansas Riflemen ' ', 
ad "Missouri Border Ruffians", who were sweeping 
ke a cyclone across the country, annihilating everything 
3fore them. The most improbable and preposterous 
;ories were circulated through the camps causing much 
Qxiety among the young men, who had no means of dis- 
nminating as to the truth or falsity of the reports, all 
^ which had a most chilling effect on the enthusiastic 
:"dor of the young volunteers — especially was it so while 
icupying the enemy's country while still unarmed. 

Jefferson Barracks was one of the oldest and most im- 
Drtant military posts in the western portion of the 
)untry, and everything about the place was of great 
iterest to the officers and men, who thoroughly inspected 
rery nook and corner for information concerning their 
ities as soldiers. 



24 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

It is a pertinent fact that the regiment had its first real 
battalion drill, August 14th, on the historic ground of 
Jefferson Barracks, where so many famed men and com- 
mands had their first experience in military and army 
service. 

During the evening the regiment was embarked on 
board a steamer and proceeded up the river to the United 
States Arsenal, where it disembarked and the whole com- 
mand encamped inside of the waUed enclosure. An issue 
of clothing was made while at the Arsenal consisting of 
linen pants, cotton drawers, woolen shirts, socks and 
coarse shoes, also Sibley tents. It was stated and so un- 
derstood at the time by the men in the regiment that 
General Fremont had purchased the clothing, on his own 
account, and had given it as a present to the regiment. 

On August IGth, while in the Arsenal, battalion drill 
was again attempted; and, considering the limited 
knowledge had by the field and line officers of battalion 
maneuvers ; and considering that the enlisted men hardly 
knew their right foot from their left foot, when indicated 
by a military command — the appearance and perform- 
ance was fairly creditable to aU concerned. 

The large cannon mounted in the Arsenal enclosure and 
the great piles of huge cannon balls at convenient places 
in the grounds, together with the display of other muni- 
tions of w^ar in great quantity, awakened admiration and 
inspired confidence among the young volunteers. Every 
day opened up new lessons in the great drama of war, 
and the young men from the prairies of Iowa were apt 
students of the movements and preparations, nothing 
escaping their critical observations. 



Ill 

MISSOURI CAMPS 

'n August 17, 1861, the regiment marched out of the 
nited States Arsenal, passed through the south portion 
P the city and out to La Fayette Park, where the camp 
as pitched in the midst of the floral beauty of that public 
isort. On the 19th, each company received five Fremont 
?nts for the enlisted men and two wall tents for the 
nficers, and the camp was then regularly laid out and 
ermanently established on the south side of the park, 
lid named Camp Jessie in honor of Jessie Benton Fre- 
lont, wife of the commanding general. 
The 18th and 23rd Indiana and the 2nd Kansas regi- 
lents were also camped in the park, the latter having 
ist returned from Southwest Missouri, where it had par- 
cipated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, and its motley 
rowd of ragged men were looked upon as veritable 
eroes by the young volunteers. 

A regular camp routine of duty was established by or- 
3rs, the calls were sounded from headquarters by drums 
ad bugles, and guards were placed in and around the 
ark, bringing the men under strict military discipline 
)r the first time. The orders required that no one could 
ass in or out during the day unless provided mth a pass 
roperly approved by the commanding officer, and at 
i-ght a camp countersign was put out. Any one at- 
smpting to pass the guards was promptly arrested and 
iken to the guard house. 
In the absence of skilled instruction and the almost 

25 



26 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

total lack of knowledge, on the part of officers and men of 
the elementary military duties to be performed, there 
were many comical and almost tragical occurrences, 
wherein officers and men alike shared in the humiliation. 

The band received their instruments and were at once 
organized to furnish music, and this, as well as the 
soldierly bearing of the men, was an attraction in making 
the evening parades of the regiment — held in the street 
in front of the camp — so popular. 

Instruction in company and squad drill was commenced 
in real earnest and from four to six hours each day was 
devoted to that exercise. The large vacant space south 
and west of the park was utilized as the drill ground, and 
from morning till night it was dotted with detachments 
maneuvering in the primary lessons of Hardee's Military 
Tactics,* which was adopted by both Unionists and Con- 
federates at the beginning of hostilities. 

A prevalence of fever and diarrhoea in camp caused a 
large number of patients to be sent to the general hos- 
pitals established in the city, where they would receive 
better treatment and have more comfortable accommo- 
dations, than had yet been provided in the camp hos- 
pitals. 

It was while the regiment was undergoing its first stage 
in enforcing strict military discipline that Colonel Mc- 
Dowell issued his famous orders providing fines and 
penalties for using profane language or common swear- 
ing about the camp, by officers or men. It was a camp 
stoiy, and probably strictly true, that Major John M. 

4 William J. Hardee, who became a Lieutenant General in the Confederate 
army, prepared, in 1856, by order of the War Department, The IJmted 
States Eifle and Light Infantry Tactics. — Appletons' Cyclopaedia of 
American Biography, Vol. Ill, p. 77. 



MISSOURI CAMPS 27 

Oorse reported at the Colonel's tent immediately after 
:h.e orders had been read on parade and said: ''I report, 
sir, to swear away my army pay". 

On the 28th of August, the body of General Nathaniel 
Lyon, killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek, passed 
ihrough the city on the way to his home in the State of 
Connecticut, for burial. The escort was composed of all 
;he armed and equipped commands in the city, making the 
argest and most imposing military demonstration ever 
i\4tnessed in the city. The patriotic and heroic stand 
:aken for the Union and the successful military oper- 
ations conducted by him at the first appearance of hos- 
ilities greatly endeared him to the Union people in St. 
Liouis, Missouri, and in the whole north country ; and his 
:ragic death on the battlefield, where he was in command, 
caused universal grief in the army and throughout all 
;he northern States. The military display and the great 
crowds of citizens assembled all along the route of march 
:o witness the funeral procession and pay their respects 
— in the last sad rites — to the great captain and hero of 
:he western army was a sight to inspire the young vol- 
mteer ^\dth enlarged ideas of the spirit of patriotism, the 
uagnitude of the war, and the sacrifices to be made for 
he preservation of the Union. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Markoe Cummins, com- 
iiissioned by the Governor of Iowa as second officer in 
3ommand of the regiment, and Dr. Albert T. Shaw — a 
lighly reputable and skilled physician of Fort Madison — 
commissioned as Major and Chief Surgeon of the regi- 
nent, joined the command at Camp Jessie and entered 
ipon their respective duties. It had been determined by 
:he State authorities to hold vacant a field position in 
iach one of the newlj^ organized regiments to be filled bv 



28 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

promoting men who had served in the First Iowa Volun- 
teers and liad fought at Wilson's Creek, and in pursuance 
of that arrangement Colonel Cummins, late Captain of 
Company A, First Iowa, of Muscatine, Iowa, came to the 
regiment. 

The orchards and gardens adjacent to the camp furn- 
ished an abundance of delicious fruit which was con- 
sumed in great quantities, both raw and cooked. Ripe 
peaches were so plentiful that they were to be had by 
simply going after them. The fruit season was just in 
its prime during the stay of the regiment in the park and 
added much to the pleasure and satisfaction of all, and, 
no doubt, was highly beneficial to the general good health 
that prevailed in the command. 

At the hotels, theaters, and on the streets in the city 
was a throng of gorgeously uniformed officers, day and 
night, making an impression that the army was com- 
posed almost entirely of officers. Officers were granted 
greater freedom and more privileges to visit the city and 
attend at places of amusement than were accorded to en- 
listed men. This was annoying to many high spirited 
young men in the ranks, who, at their homes, moved in 
the best circles of society and enjoyed the highest priv- 
ileges. But time and a vigorous enforcement of army 
rules and discipline soon brought about a proper subjec- 
tion and harmony among all ranks and conditions in the 
command. 

The long delay in furnishing the regiment with arms 
and equipment for active field services caused much com- 
plaint, bitter criticism, and not a little discouragement 
among officers and men alike. The camp reports were 
current, from day to day, that the regiment would re- 
ceive new guns and complete equipment but disappoint- 



MISSOURI CAMPS 29 

ment followed disappointment until it became distress- 
ingly monotonous and discouraging in the extreme. All 
knew there was no hope of active services, while the 
command was without arms or field equipment; but all 
did not understand the extent of the herculean efforts 
being made by the departments of the governmental ser- 
vice to arm and equip the great armies forming for the 
war. Many blamed the commanding officers with the 
delay, thinking they preferred to remain in the city park 
and enjoy the privileges of the city, to campaigning in 
the country and engaging in the numerous skirmishes 
and battles occurring almost daily in the interior and 
southwest part of the State. 

While the wearisome delays dragged along the com- 
mand was being improved by daily drills, guard duty, 
camp ceremonies, and an occasional detail to work on the 
fortifications being erected about the city, which made 
life tolerably burdensome ; but, nevertheless, the stay in 
the park was a pleasant season and all received much 
useful instruction in camp life and the duties of soldier- 
ing. Those who were disposed to enter heartily into the 
active duties of a soldier were uniformly happy, enjoyed 
camp life, and had a good time. 

On September 16th, the camp resounded with the glad- 
some news, "Marching Orders". 

The regiment broke camp in the park, on September 
17th, and marched to Benton Barracks, situated on the 
fair grounds in the northern portion of the cit}^, then 
being erected to accommodate a large number of troops. 
The stay at the barracks was only for a day and two 
nights, when the line of march was again taken up, with 
the regiment formed in column of companies and the 
route of march down Grand Avenue and Washington 



30 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Street to the river. The men were in fine spirit and 
made a proud display as they marched to the inspiring 
music by the band and the martial strains of the fife 
and drum corps. The marching column and the music 
were repeatedly cheered by the citizens along the route. 

The troops and baggage were at once embarked on 
board a river steamer when it dropped down the river 
about a mile where it landed and was tied up. Pur- 
suant to orders the regiment and its baggage were trans- 
ferred from the boat to the cars on the Missouri Pacific 
Railroad, which were convenient to the boat landing. 
When all had become comfortably located on the train, 
orders were received from headquarters in the city, di- 
recting that the regiment be reembarked on the steam- 
boat, which was promptly effected, but the limit to 
patience and good order was reached, when an order was 
given to transfer everything back to the train again. 
It was far into the night when the last transfer was com- 
pleted and much of the good missionary work done in 
the regiment by the venerable Chaplain, Dr. John Ufford, 
was hopelessly wrecked while the command was vibrat- 
ing between the landing and the depot. 

The destination of the regiment was finally deter- 
mined upon at headquarters and the train pulled out for 
Jefferson City, the capital of the State of Missouri, 
where it arrived on the morning of September 20th, and 
the men marched out to Camp Curtis — named for Sam- 
uel R. Curtis, Iowa's first Brigadier-General in the war — 
where the camp was pitched on the site of Governor 
[Claiborne F.] Jackson's recent camp of Missouri State 
troops. These, with the Governor, had joined Price's 
army at the time they abandoned the capital and State 
to join the Confederacy. 



MISSOURI CAMPS 31 

On the next day arms and accoutennents and a large 
supply of clothing were issued to the regiment, each man 
receiving a gun and equipment, 2 shirts, 2 pair drawers, 
2 pair socks, 1 pair shoes, 1 pair pants, 1 cloth cap, 1 
blue jacket, 1 sky blue overcoat, 1 wool blanket, knap- 
sack, and canteen. The guns were the old Austrian 
musket pattern, mth fuse primers. At the first dress 
parade Major Corse tested the quality of the guns by 
trying to fire a volley, when only about a dozen guns in 
the line fired. Colonel McDowell's swearing order had no 
effect in restraining men and officers from expressing 
their disgust in vigorous language. 

An epidemic of measles broke out in the camp and in 
a few days there were nearly one hundred cases in the 
regiment, together with a large number of serious cases 
of chills, fevers, and camp diarrhoea. The hospitals 
were soon filled, and the doctors taxed to the limit of en- 
durance. It is greatly to the credit of the surgeons, in 
their first field service, that very few deaths occurred in 
the regiment, considering the number of men who were 
stricken with measles and fever — both typhoid and 
pneumonia. 

The men in the regiment who were reported for duty 
were called upon to perform laborious and exacting ser- 
vice at camp and picket guard duty, working on fortifi- 
cations, drills, and parades, and large fatigue details to 
unload army stores and supplies at the depot and the boat 
landing. 

Mules and wagons were received by the regimental 
quartermaster, who soon had a corps of teamsters or- 
ganized with David C. Ely as chief wagon-master and 
William T. Ogle as his assistant. The process of lasso- 
ing the mules and breaking them to work in six mule 
teams was like a dav at a circus. 



32 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Almost daily the camps were thrown into a fever of ex- 
citement over false rumors circulated that large forces 
of the enemy were in the vicinity, and on several occas- 
ions the troops were assembled in the breastworks to re- 
sist an expected attack. 

On the 6th of October, the regiment received its first 
pay, being the amount due from July 17th to August 31st. 
General [James] Totten inspected the regiment and then 
it passed in review before him, making a creditable show- 
ing. 

General Fremont had concentrated in Missouri an 
army of 40,000 men and 100 guns prepared to advance 
from Rolla, Jefferson City, Tipton, Sedalia, and Kansas 
City, south into the enemy's country about Springfield. 
The divisions were commanded by such distinguished 
generals as John Pope, Jefferson C. Davis, Franz Sigel, 
David Hunter, Samuel D. Sturgis, J. McKinstry and 
James H. Lane. Orders were issued directing a con- 
certed movement by all the columns, all to converge on 
Spring-field and the Confederate army. General Sterl- 
ing Price was located along the line of the Osage River, 
where he had taken position after his brilliant success 
at Lexington, on the Missouri River, with the Missouri 
State Guard, composed of 5000 infantry and artillery, 
and 8000 horsemen armed with all sorts of guns, without 
discipline, and commanded by distinguished Missour- 
ians, as follows: Harris, Steen, Parsons, Rains, 
McBride, Slack, and Clark. General Benjamin McCul- 
loch, in command of the Arkansas division of 7000 men of 
all arms, was at Springfield, and the aggregate force of 
Confederate troops was 20,000 men. 

The last days at Camp Curtis were devoted to making 
preparations for commencing the campaign to redeem 
Missouri and destrov the Confederate forces in that 



MISSOURI CAMPS 33 

section. Every department and each soldier was busy 
getting everything in order for the march — cooking 
nations, packing knapsacks, loading the wagons, filling 
ip with ammunition, cleaning guns, burnishing ac- 
jouterments, making comfortable arrangements for 
;hose who were sick and unable to march, and attending 
;o a thousand little details that later in the war gave the 
5oldier very little concern. The regiment had waited a 
ong time before receiving arms and a full supply of 
equipment, but when the order to march was received 
?ach man found he was supplied with twice as much as 
le was able to carry on a long march. 

The regiment was supplied with a train of 25 large 
government wagons, each dra^vn by six mules and loaded 
vith the camp and garrison equipage of the regiment, 
vith from three to five tons to each wagon. 

On October 7th, the regiment, along with the other 
roops, struck camp and marched through the city and 
)ut on the main wagon road leading west from the capi- 
al. When the top of the first long hill was reached and 
he column halted, many men in the ranks — then and 
here — decided that it would be impossible for them to 
;ontinue to carry the sixty to eighty pounds of equip- 
nent each man had been provided with, and at once 
iommenced to reduce the burden. Coats, blankets, un- 
lerwear, and rations were abandoned, reducing the bur- 
len in many instances fully one-half. Even after so 
^reat a sacrifice large numbers were compelled to drop 
)ut and were taken to the hospitals and were never able 
return to the regiment. It was the first test of en- 
lurance in campaigning and those who were constitu- 
ionally weak and those who had recently been stricken 
vith measles and camp fevers were so prostrated by the 



34 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

severe test that many of them never recovered to do i 
duty in the regiment. The command marched 10 miles j 
and camped for the night at what was designated as 
Camp Fremont. ; 

At an early hour the next morning the march was con- 
tinued to the to^vn of California, a distance of 15 miles, 
where the camp was pitched on the west edge of to^vn in 
a nice clean pasture filled with a grove of native oaks, 
where wood and water, and a supply of nice fresh straw 
— for the bedding in the tents — were provided. On 
October 9th, the regiment marched 15 miles to Tipton, 
through a cold rain and deep mud. It remained in camp 
at Tipton during the next day, and, on the 11th, con- 
tinued the march 5 miles to Syracuse. 

Regular camps were laid out on the big open prairie 
surrounding the village. The regiment was assigned 
to a brigade composed of the 7th Missouri, and the 6th 
and 8th Iowa Infantry regiments, commanded by Colonel 
Frederick Steele, of the 8th Iowa, and to the division 
commanded by General J. McKinstiy, both being dis- 
tinguished regular army officers. 

The far extending camps of white canvas tents, spread- 
ing out over the broad level prairie, and covering the 
8000 men composing General McKinstry's division, was 
a scene that inspired the young volunteers with enlarged 
ideas of the magnitude of the undertaking they were 
engaged in. 

On October 13th, the whole division was formed in line 
on the prairie adjacent to the camps where it was inspect- 
ed by Honorable Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, ac- 
companied by General Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant-Gen- 
eral of the army, and General John C. Fremont. After 
the inspection, the troops were formed in column of 



MISSOURI CAMPS 35 

companies and marched in review for the distin- 
guished officials and officers, who were attended by a 
brilliant array of staff officers, and large escorts of 
cavalry in gorgeous uniforms and superbly mounted. 
General Thomas, in his report to the Secretary of War, 
stated in regard to McKinstry's division that it was said 
to be the best equipped in the army. He also reported 
that the force designated to act against General Price 
consisted of five divisions, numbering in all, 38,789 men. 

The march from Jefferson City had been along the line 
of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and in close proximity 
to the Missouri River, both of which furnished easy and 
convenient transportation for troops and supplies for 
the gathering armj^ The next movement in the con- 
templated campaign would be to the south, leading away 
from the base on the railroad and the river, so that 
wagon transportation would have to be depended upon 
entirely. The task of transporting the food, forage, 
ammunition, and other supplies for an army of 40,000 
men and 20,000 animals, through a hostile country 150 
miles from the railroad and river base, was an under- 
taking that appalled even tlie old freighters from the 
western plains. 

With only wagon transportation, an inferior quality 
of unserviceable foreign-made guns, a lamentable lack 
of militaiy method in the plans for the campaig-n, a want 
of confidence and harmony among the commanders who 
were to lead the army, and, in many regiments discip- 
line little better than that of a huge mob, the orders were 
promulgated to commence the grand fonvard movement 
into the heart of the enemy's country. 

It was very evident, though, to observing men in the 
ranks that commanders and leaders were paying more 



36 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

attention to military pomp and display than they were 
to the details of administration and organization, so 
essential to the efficiency and strength of an army, as 
well as to its success in campaign and battle. The army 
was surcharged with an abundance of patriotic enthus- 
iasm, but almost helpless for want of proper drill and 
training in the school of a soldier, and for want of skill- 
ful leadership. 



IV 

CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 

While in camp at Syracuse awaiting orders for the for- 
ward movement, Major John M. Corse embraced the 
opportunity and instnicted the regiment daily in battal- 
ion drills and field maneuvers. For three days he chased 
the whole regiment over the prairie in battalion and 
skirmish drills. The recent arduous campaigning and 
drilling had operated to develop the officers and men 
alike in the regiment, and they were improving rapidly 
in all the duties of soldiering. Many who had been the 
most conspicuous in the beginning were hunting for easy 
jobs or seeking to get out of the service honorably be- 
fore more serious service was required of them. All 
of the sick and those not likely to endure the hard march- 
ing contemplated were sent to the hospitals at Jeffer- 
son City and St. Louis, and many procured furloughs 
and returned to their homes in Iowa. 

It was while in camp at Syracuse that the contention 
and wrangling going on in the regiment concerning pro- 
motions and the administration of its affairs began to be 
generally known throughout the command, but the near 
approach of active operations served to scatter the 
contending elements, while those who took their places 
in the ranks were full of hope and loyal enthusiasm. 
The thinning out process inaugurated had gone on until 
all of the companies were greatly reduced in numbers, 
and no company had over fifty men in ranks ready to 
march to the front. 

37 



38 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Strict orders were issued and read to the troops for- 
bidding the taking of private property from any person, 
and for any purpose whatever, unless authorized by a 
general officer, requiring frequent roll-calls and inspec- 
tions, and declaring for the prosecution of the war with 
the utmost vigor against armed foes of the government. 
Plundering and marauding, doubly disgraceful in 
soldiers, were to be punished by the severest penalties of 
the military law. 

After many delays and sore disappointments, it was 
on October 21st that camp was struck and the whole 
command took up the line of march south across the 
forty-mile prairie. After traveling twelve miles, the di- 
vision camped in the open plain. The troops were hilar- 
ious with patriotic enthusiasm, the bands joined in the 
prevailing ardor by playing popular and familiar music, 
and all were filled with buoyant hope and inspiring 
military zeal. 

When the division in marching order was stretched 
out for miles across the broad level prairie — the dark 
blue uniforms of the soldiers strikingly contrasting with 
the green sea of wild prairie grass — the immense trains 
of white canvas covered wagons, together -with the ar- 
tillery and cavalry, presented a scene of superb military 
splendor and magnitude, inspiring to behold. 

The column marched 7 miles the next day and camped 
at the place made famous by General Lyon in a skirmish 
with the enemy, during his advance on Springfield, in 
July. October 23rd was an ideal fall day and at an early 
hour the division was stretched out on the Warsaw road 
in full marching array. When it had proceeded five or 
six miles from camp, there was discovered away in the 
far distance to the east a. column of troops marching 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 39 

in the same direction, which was viewed with much con- 
3em and considerable alarm. The column was halted 
md the brigade brought into line of battle facing the 
threatened danger, and it was soon apparent that the 
threatening column had performed the same movement 
md both lines were soon rapidly marching toward each 
)ther. 

Mounted staff officers rode back and forth along the 
ine giving orders and exhibiting great excitement, 
i^ile regimental officers were giving directions for the 
)roper alignment and guides, the company officers were 
giving timely precautionary instructions to stand firm — 
ouching elbow to elbow — to shoot low, not to leave the 
•anks to care for wounded men, and to promptly close 
ip the files of those who should be Idlled. They also 
ipoke words of encouragement, which were only too visi- 
)ly the reflection of their own excited feelings. Many 
»f the young fellows in the lines were thinking of all the 
»ad things they had ever done and of the many good 
hings they had neglected to do, while the cold chills 
vere chasing up and down their backbones, and their 
:nees were knocking together with a genuine attack of 
lUck ague, until matters looked very critical and the con- 
ition of many was really and truly deplorable. 

That a great battle was going to be fought, then and 
here, every one firmly believed. During the trying or- 
eal each one was trying to swallow the great lump in 
is throat and appear cool and courageous. All the 
ime neither side had displayed their colors, and it was 
^hen Major Corse ordered the colors of the Sixth Iowa 
nfurled to the breeze that those approaching in the op- 
osing line displayed the same flag, which stopped all 
arther hostile demonstrations and it was at once ascer- 



40 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

tained that the column of supposed enemy was the di- 
vision of General Hunter. 

The command marched 15 miles on October 24th and 
camped 4 miles from Warsaw at "Camp Persimmons", 
so named on account of the abundance of that delicious 
fruit found in the groves. The puckering qualities of a 
green persimmon were remembered for a long time by 
many of the young soldiers who were not familiar with 
the fruit and its unpalatable qualities while in a green 
state. On the 25th, the whole command continued the 
march to Warsaw, an old county seat town, situated on 
the north bank of the Osage River. The next day the 
regiment crossed the river on a temporary bridge con- 
structed by the engineers and troops of an advance di- 
vision of the army, and camped with the rest of the bri- 
gade 8 miles south on the Pomme-de-Terre River — 
known as ''Camp Starvation", or "Bran Hollow". The 
camp was pitched in an abandoned field, covered by an 
almost impenetrable bur patch. Large policing details 
soon cleared the ground and the tents were pitched in 
regular order, it being announced that the column would 
halt for a few days until supplies were brought forward. 

Company and battalion drills, and the usual daily cere- 
monies were resumed and continued during the three or 
four days the troops were halted, but the officers and men 
were foot-sore and did not enter into the spirit of the 
Hardee tactics with any degree of enthusiasm. On 
October 31st, the camp was broken at an early hour and 
the command marched 10 miles to Quincy. It was a 
cold and disagreeable day and the route traveled over 
was hilly and rocky. The advance forces of General 
Fremont's army had reached Springfield where they 
were threatened by a superior force of the enemy, which 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 41 

caused orders to be issued to the troops en route to press 
forward with the greatest celerity, even if the troops 
had to live on fresh beef alone. 

On November 1st, at the break of day, McKinstry's 
whole division commenced the remarkable forced march 
to Springfield, that was not equalled in hardship again 
during the war. The camp was pitched late in the even- 
ing near the town of Bolivar after a distance of thirty- 
five miles had been marched. The troops marched thirty 
miles on the next day and camped 5 miles north of 
Springfield. On November 3rd, the division passed 
through Springfield and camped one mile west of town. 

Considering the rough topography of the country and 
the bad condition of the roads traveled over; the un- 
seasoned troops, with overloaded knapsacks; scant sup- 
plies and many other deficiencies — the 65 miles travel - 
ed in two days by McKinstry's division of 6000 men 
was a severe test of the patient endurance and the 
soldierly qualities of those who composed the command. 
Many robust and physically sound men of the command 
dated their disability, contracted in the service, from 
the effects of that forced march. 

The camps were rife with rumors of a large force of the 
enemy under Generals Price and Benjamin McCulloch, 
assembled at Wilson's Creek, and marching on Spring- 
field. The beating of the long roll and the shrill notes 
of the bugles aroused the troops to the highest pitch of 
enthusiasm, as they formed in fine ready for battle. At 
the call to face the enemy they forgot the fatigue of the 
hard marching and their sore feet, and assembled under 
arms with such promptness and enthusiasm, that many 
regular army officers, who were disting-uished in the war, 
marked the good conduct of the volunteers, which 



42 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

established a feeling of coiifidence that when the time 
came for action they would do their part as soldiers, and 
as became intelligent and patriotic citizens — conscious 
of a just cause. 

The order relieving General Fremont of the command 
of the army and placing General David Hunter in com- 
mand aroused the greatest indignation throughout the 
army. The men in the ranks had the greatest confidence 
in the patriotism and generalship of the "Pathfinder" 
of the western plains and the Eocky Mountains, and were 
ready to follow him wherever he led. 

President Lincoln and the authorities at Washington 
were dissatisfied with General Fremont's conduct of op- 
erations in the department, since assuming command in 
July, on account of his failure to reenf orce General Lyon 
at Wilson's Creek; allowing General Price to advance 
into the center of the State, with a poorly organized and 
equipped army, capture the garrison at Lexington, and 
fall back behind the Osage River with thousands of re- 
cruits for his amiy and great quantities of supplies and 
animals; and the heralding of political manifestos and 
issuing proclamations jointly with generals command- 
ing the secession forces, which influenced and jeopard- 
ized administrative questions involved in the war. 

Satisfactory knowledge of sure failure in the pend- 
ing operations was the real and immediate cause of his 
removal and the placing of General David Hunter, an 
old and trusted officer of the regular army, in command of 
the army of occupation. The delicate duty of delivering 
the order was entrusted to General Samuel R. Curtis by 
the President, subject to the conditions that if General 
Fremont should then have fought and won a battle, or 
should then be actually engaged in a battle, or should 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 43 

hen be in the immediate presence of the enemy in ex- 
lectation of a battle, it should not be delivered, but 
hould be held for further orders. The President, in a 
ommunication of the same date to the commander of 
he Department of the West, which was ''half letter, 
lalf order", said: 

The main rebel army (Price's) west of the Mississippi is 
lelieved to have passed Dade County in full retreat upon 
Northwestern Arkansas, leaving Missouri almost freed from 
he enemy. . . . Assuming this basis of fact, it seems desir- 
ible, as you are not likely to overtake Price, and are in danger of 
Qaking too long a line from your own base of supplies and re- 
inforcements, that you should give up the pursuit, halt your 
aain army, divide it into two corps of observation, one occupy- 
ng Sedalia and the other Rolla, the present termini of railroad 

. . . it would be so easy to concentrate and repel any 
irmy of the enemy returning on Missouri from the southwest, 
hat it is not probable any such attempt to return will be made 
)efore or during the approaching cold weather. 

General Benjamin McCulloch, "with a division of 
)000 effective men, well equipped and well disciplined, 
,vas encamped at the Missouri and Arkansas State line 
50uth of Springfield, and General Price, with his Missouri 
State Guard, consisting of 12,000 men of all arms, poorly 
equipped and in a state of discipline bordering on demor- 
ilization, was at Pineville in the southwest corner of the 
State. 

The regiment was exercised several hours each day 
at battalion drill, while encamped at Springfield. On 
November 6th, Company I, Captain Brj^dolf command- 
ing, was sent on a scout to the battlefield of Wilson's 
Creek, and returned the same day. 

On November 9th, the regiment broke camp and started 



44 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

north with the rest of the army on the return march., 
A distance of seven miles was traveled and camp was 
made on Bear Creek. The troops recrossed the Osage i 
at Warsaw and camped along the valley of a small creek : 
2 miles north of Sedalia on the Georgetown road, No- 
vember 16th, where the camps of the brigade were estab- ■ 
lished. The return march was made without particular' 
incident, the regiment marching an average of 15 miles i 
a day. The cold chilly mnds that swept across the great 
broad prairies traveled over, and the freezing cold at; 
night, made doubly severe on account of scarcity of fuel, 
caused great suffering and hardship during the march. 

The Union army of 30,000 men of all arms, that wasi 
engaged in the Fremont campaign to Spring-field, had J 
returned north to its base of supply at Eolla, Sedalia, 
and Kansas City. On the abandonment of Springfield 
the secession forces in that vicinity made a spasmodic 
effort to pursue the Union columns and reoccupy the 
country, which proved feeble and caused no serious an- 
noyance to the army on either route of march. General 
McCulloch returned with his division to Northern Ar- 
kansas where he established winter quarters, while 
General Price attempted to maintain a force along the 
Osage River and thereby threaten another advance into 
Central Missouri — more for political effect than as a 
military demonstration. 

The struggle for military supremacy in the State of 
Missouri involved delicate questions of civil and military 
government, gravely complicated on account of the divid- 
ed sentiment of the population on the questions involved 
in the war. Thousands of the young men and sturdy 
citizens of the State had flocked to the standard of 
General Sterling Price, who had been a Governor of the 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 45 

State, and enrolled in the southern cause, while an equal 
number of intelligent and liberty loving people, repre- 
senting all sections of the State, were enrolling in the 
Union regiments to fight for their homes and the Union. 

Major-General Henry AV. Halleck was assigned to the 
command of the reorganized department, mth head- 
quarters at St. Louis. 

The prospect for a winter camp in such a frigidly cold 
climate, on an open prairie, housed in canvas tents, was 
not very inviting even to those who had escaped so far 
the chills, fevers, measles, and other camp ailments, and, 
to those so afflicted, the situation was distressing in the 
extreme. A large number of those who had succumbed 
to disease and the fatigue of hard marching were sent 
by railroad transportation to the hospitals at Jefferson 
City and St. Louis, where they could receive better care 
and medical treatment. 

The camp of the regiment was situated in a cornfield 
along the valley of a small creek, with troops camped 
above and below, all depending upon the creek and tem- 
porary wells dug along its banks for the supply of water 
to be used in the camps. The sanitary condition of the 
camps was deplorable, and, coupled with the extreme 
inclemency of the v>'eather, the result was a sick report 
alarming in its magnitude. 

Quite a number of recruits, who had enlisted in Iowa, 
joined the regiment while at Springfield and Sedalia, 
filling up the ranks depleted by death and discharge. 
Furloughs were granted to a limited number of officers 
and men, for ten and thirty days, to return to their 
homes in Iowa. 

Battalion drill, guard mount, and dress parade were 
had almost daily in spite of the cold weather and the 



46 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

deplorable conditions generally about the camps. It 
was at one of the parades that Colonel McDowell gave 
the command: ''Fix! Fix!! Why in the h — 1 don'ti 
you fix ? " meaning to give the command, ' ' Fix bayonets ' ', 
but the men had their aims at "Right Shoulder Shift", 
and stood fast, knowing the command to be an error. 

At another time a newly arrived recruit alarmed the 
whole camp by firing at a flock of crows while on duty as 
a camp guard on a lonesome beat out on the big prairie 
near a cornfield where the crows were accustomed to 
perch on the high stakes of a rail fence. With the loud 
noise they made, they tempted the sentinels to test the 
serviceable qualities of their guns and their marksman- 
ship on them. 

The young man had enlisted from patriotic motives 
and had some practical ideas of the duties that would be 
required of him as a soldier, which prompted him to try 
the merits of his gun on the crows. The cannon-like 
reports of the old Austrian musket, when he opened fire, 
aroused the camps and the whole command was sum- 
moned to arms. Colonel McDowell, mounted on his 
horse, proceeded in great haste to the point of danger. In 
a rage of anger and with abusive language, he assailed 
the sentinel for his breach of discipline; when, in fact, 
he had only demonstrated what the military genius of 
those in command had failed to do, that the troops were 
inexperienced in the use of firearms and non-effective 
with the unserviceable guns then in their hands. When 
approached in a respectful manner by those with whom 
he was acquainted and asked concerning the firing, he 
replied in a spirit, of injured dignity, "that he was try- 
ing the killing merits of his gun and that it wasn 't worth 
shucks". When the absurdity of the affair was fuUy 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 47 

realized everybody laughed and the young soldier re- 
turned to duty. 

On Sunday, December 1st, the regiment was visited 
by the army paymaster and the men received two months 
pay in the midst of a snow storm. The camp was desig- 
nated as '^ Sole-leather-pie Camp", on account of the 
quality of the pies peddled in the camps by Irish women, 
who were connected with the stranded railroad construc- 
tion crew in the vicinity. 

On December 7th, the camp was struck and every- 
thing loaded in the wagons ready to march at an early 
hour, but after a tedious and uncomfortable wait in the 
cold, the orders to march were countermanded and the 
camp was reestablished. A cold rain set in during the 
afternoon and night, which made the situation about as 
uncomfortable as it could be. Sunday, December 8th, was 
marked as being one of the most trying days in the 
history of the regiment. The rain poured do^vn in tor- 
rents all day with the temperature down to the freezing 
point, covering everything with a, heavy sleet. 

On Monday, December 9th, at 8 a. m., the camp was 
again struck and the column marched east to La Mine 
Crossing, a mile east of the village of Otterville, a station 
on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, the distance marched 
being 14 miles. The roads traveled over during the day 
led through a rough hilly country, traversed by numer- 
ous small creeks which were swollen by the recent snow 
and rain, making them very muddy and causing great 
fatigue and discomfort for the men — many of whom did 
not reach the camp that night. The camp was pitched 
on a bleak bluff on the west bank of the La Mine River 
south of the track and near the railroad bridge, which 
promised no immediate comfort. 



48 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The remainder of the month was devoted to bettering 
the conditions about the camp; chopping and hauling 
immense quantities of fuel from the heavy timber in the 
bottoms along the La Mine River ; working on the forti- 
fications, erected for the protection and defense of the 
railroad bridge ; escorting foraging trains to the country, 
for hay and grain ; standing camp and picket guard, with 
the thermometer below zero ; and attempting to carry on 
battalion drill. Each one of the large Fremont tents was 
furnished with a sheet iron stove, which served to keep 
a squad of ten to twelve men from freezing. Huge fires 
were also kept burning in each one of the company streets 
during extreme cold weather, which consumed hundreds 
of cords of wood. The supply of rations issued was 
bountiful and the quality excellent; also, clothing and 
blankets were issued, to the satisfaction of all. 

The sunrise service, held by the chaplain each morning 
on the regimental parade ground, sometimes with the 
temperature below zero, where he read a service and 
repeated a long prayer Avith many men standing in line 
in the ice and snow with only stockings on their feet, on 
account of not being able to put on their frozen shoes, 
was a test of endurance and discipline not to be tolerated 
always. On an especially cold morning, just as the de- 
vout chaplain closed his eyes in prayer, a shower of 
snowballs pelted him on his bald head in such a manner 
and with such force that the service was at once aban- 
doned, and for all time in the future. 

The Christmas holidays were passed without particu- 
lar incident, and on the 1st day of January, 1862, the 
regiment was paraded for inspection and review by 
General John Pope, commanding the division. Under 
the direction and supervision of Colonel J. W. Bissel 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 49 

and his engineer regiment, a system of earthworks was 
commenced, enclosing the camps, requiring large details 
of men each day to work on the forts. 

Dr. Albert T. Shaw, Surgeon of the regiment, made a 
report covering the time from July 17 to December 31, 
1861, as follows : 

The exposure to miasma at "Camp Curtis" was a fruitful 
source of sickness. The camping ground at Syracuse was 
damp and, that combined with the intensity of malarious in- 
fluences added largely to the sick list. There were 175 cases 
of measles in the regiment, but the epidemic was of a very mild 
type. There has been one case of pernicious fever, several 
cases of severe bilious remittent fever, and upon the whole 
the miasmatic diseases have put on rather a severer form than 
usual. 

Except a few cases cared for in the camps the sick have been 
sent to the hospitals at Jefferson City and St. Louis. On the 
march to Springfield and return, although ordered to carry the 
sick, no means of transportation was furnished, excepting the 
baggage wagons of the regiment and the commissary train. 
About a quarter of the medicines applied for, on requisition, 
were furnished by the medical department; staple drugs were 
obtained, in some instances, through the Quartermaster. The 
number reported sick, on the daily morning reports, varied 
from 46 to 100. Measles, diarrhoea, bilious remittent, inter- 
mittent and typhoid fevers have been the principal diseases 
contended with. 

Two gunshot w^ounds, from accidents, occurred — resulting 
in loss of two fingers of the left hand in the case of Martin L. 
"Ware, private in "Company D" ; a fracture of the fibula, in the 
other, A. P. Alexander, Corporal in "Company A". 

The report showed that the regiment had present for 
duty 746 men. There were absent on sick leave 156 men, 
while 35 were sick in camp quarters. There had died in 



50 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

camp and in hospitals, 34 men, and 16 men had been dis- 
charged for disability.^ 

On January'' 6th, the announcement was made in orders 
that the 7th Missouri and the 6th Iowa regiments would 
constitute the garrison for the post at La Mine Bridge. 

A serious epidemic of homesickness prevailed through- -] 
out the camp after taking up winter quarters, but was 
dispelled as the prospect for active campaigning bright- 
ened. It was a current camp rumor, which attracted 
serious attention, that the regiment would be a part of a 
proposed expedition to Texas, commanded by General 
James Lane of Kansas, to consist of 30,000 men — 15,000 
cavalry, 10,000 infantry, 1000 fusileers, 4000 loyal In- 
dians, 8 batteries of flying artillery, and 1000 contraband 
negroes — to serve as cooks and teamsters. This rumor 
served to enliven the never ceasing discussion of how to 
put down the rebellion. 

A series of anonymous communications appeared in 
the St. Louis dailies and the home papers, severely crit- 
icising the commanding officers and those generally who 
were charged with the administration of affairs in the 
regiment. This caused much bitter feeling and did much 
to aggravate the growing contention and discontent, on 
the part of a few officers and a considerable number of 
enlisted men. 

On January 13th, the phenomenon of a reflection of the 
United States flag in the sky, immediately under the 
bright moon, was witnessed by many in the regiment. A 
great epidemic of sickness broke out in the camps, caus- 
ing many discharges for disability. For a time great 

5 The report of the Adjutant General gives a total of twenty-three died 
and twenty-nine discharged for disability np to January 1, 1862. — Beport 
of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 1862-1863, Vol. I, pp. 210-247. 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 51 

discouragement prevailed tlironghout the camps on ac- 
count of the increasing- sickness, believed to be caused by 
the severely inclement weather and exposure on duty 
while working on the trenches and guarding the camps. 

On January 21st, the regiment had dress parade in the 
evening. Captain Walden in command, when orders were 
read announcing Thomas J. Ennis — a young man who 
had been seen at the headquarters with Colonel Mc- 
Dowell — as Adjutant of the regiment. Marching orders 
were also read on parade, which were received with. 
shouts of approbation by the men, when dismissed in 
quarters. All the companies had done service escorting 
foraging trains to the country for hay and grain and were 
not entirely new to marching. The contemplated move 
would change the camp and that alone gave great satis- 
faction. 

The camp was struck at an early hour on January 22nd, 
and the regiment marched out — foot and horse, bag and 
baggage — crossed the La Mine River and passed by the 
camps of several regiments that had recently camped in 
the timber on the bottom along the river. The wagon 
roads were covered with melting snow and slush, shoe- 
mouth [ankle deep] deep, causing great discomfort and 
fatigue to men and animals. 

While passing a plantation just north of Syracuse the 
band struck up "Hail Columbia" in honor of a party of 
ladies who appeared at the farm house. A negro woman 
who was standing at the gate on the roadside was 
charmed by the music and commenced dancing and caper- 
ing in great glee, displaying a prodigious mouthful of 
ivory white teeth, while the tired men in the ranks raised 
a tremendous shout. All hands seemed to feel better for 
the shaking up. The troops marched 15 miles and camped 



52 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

on the north edge of Tipton, a station on the Missouri 
Pacific Eailroad and an important military post. The 
tents were pitched and the bivouac for the night was 
made on the snow and frozen ground, which was decid- 
edly chilly. On the next day camp was moved to more 
suitable grounds near the depot, where lumber was se- 
cured and the tents made reasonably comfortable. 

The new Adjutant was deeply mortified at his first 
appearance on parade on account of his error in giving a 
command. The men jeered him unmercifully after they ; 
were dismissed in quarters. 

Three regiments of infantry marching south passed 
through town on their way to join the new expedition, , 
organizing under General Samuel R. Curtis, to destroy 
the secessionists commanded by Price and McCulloch, in , 
Southwest Missouri. 

On January 30th, the regiment received two months > 
pay, each one having the option of receiving his due in . 
silver, gold, or the new U. S. greenbacks. Many of those 
who had taken silver and gold returned to the paymaster 
and exchanged it for the nice crisp paper notes. ; 

The whole month of January was marked by the ex- 
treme severity of the weather; deep snow, with alternate 
freezing and thawing, made camp life disagreeable and ; 
most uncomfortable. 

On February 1st, companies A, B, F, and K, command- 
ed by Captain Daniel Iseminger, struck their tents and 
marched 5 miles to Syracuse, where they relieved the 39th 
Ohio Regiment as a garrison for that post. The regi- 
ment was supplied mth new dress coats and feathers and 
brass ornaments for the hats, while they retained the 
almost totally unserviceable arms. 

By Februar>^ 7th, the snow had melted and the mud 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 53 

iried up, so that daily battalion drills, with guard mount 
ind evening parades, were reestablished, together with 
strict camp and provost guards, placing the troops under 
strict military discipline and greatly improving the 
norale of the command. 

Major Corse, serving on the division staff of General 
Pope at Otterville as Assistant Inspector-General, visited 
the regiment and imparted the gratifying news that the 
regiment would soon depart for service in Kentucky, in 
General Grant's army. 

On February 12th, it was reported in camp that the 
rth Missouri had surrendered as prisoners of war, be- 
tween Sedalia and Lexington, while the 8th Iowa sta- 
tioned at Sedalia had retreated from there in the face of 
a, superior force of the enemy. Extra guards were 
posted, the outposts reenforced and Captain Brydolf, 
with twelve mounted men, scouted the vicinity of the 
samp during the night. Great excitement prevailed in 
the camp, on account of the wild rumors circulated, with- 
out regard to their origin or probable truthfulness. A 
most improbable story was circulated and added mate- 
rially to the fevered excitement, that the 8th Iowa had 
acted disgracefully in the presence of the enemy, by run- 
aing four miles to the woods. 

The usual quiet and routine order of the camp was 
restored, and on February 15th, an inspection and review 
of the troops was held by Major Corse, when he ex- 
pressed himself as being greatly pleased with the soldier- 
ly bearing of officers and men, and the general good ap- 
pearance of equipment and good order in the camp. 

On February 17th, orders were received from the Gov- 
ernor of Iowa annulling the appointment of Ennis as 
Adjutant, which greatly aggravated the wrangling then 



54 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

going on in the regiment over appointments and promo- : 
tions. Meddling politicians at home and a discordant 
element in the regiment had caused not a little grief to , 
time and deserving soldiers, and they did much to destroy j 
efficiency and discipline in the command. On the petition \ 
of Dr. Albert T. Shaw, Surgeon of the regiment, and 
many others, to the Governor, the appointment of 
Thomas J. Ennis was confirmed and he was commissioned , 
as First-Lieutenant and Adjutant of the regiment, there- 
by saving to the regiment the services of one of its most .. 
gallant soldiers. 

Of the many details made for scouting and escort duty 
with forage trains was that, on February 19th, of Lieu- , 
tenant L. C. Allison and 10 men from Company E, Lieu- 
tenant H. B. Harris and 10 men from Company C, and 10 '. 
men from Company I, with five six-mule teams, who went . 
18 miles south to Versailles and returned with two Con- 
federate prisoners. Captain "Walden, with a like detail , 
from Company D, conducted a scouting party in the same ■ 
vicinity, breaking up a dancing party at a farm house, 
being held in honor of returned Confederate soldiers. 

The news of the great victories at Fort Henry and Fort ■, 
Donelson was received in camp with great rejoicing, and 
all were eager to serve with General Grant in liis great 
campaign up the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. 
Every camp iTimor promising an early departure for the 
scenes of the recent victories was hailed "svith enthusias- 
tic shouts by the men in the camp. 

The loyal citizens of Moniteau County seized upon . 
February 22nd — Washington's birthday — as a fitting 
occasion to show their devotion to the Union cause and as- 
sembled at Tipton in large numbers ; raised a Union lib- 
erty pole 90 feet high ; decorated the town -with flags and ' 



CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 55 

arches, bearing appropriate and patriotic mottoes; and 
joined in a program at which patriotic speeches were de- 
livered by prominent citizens, Lieutenant Halliday and 
Lieutenant Clune, music was furnished by the regimental 
band and drum corps, and a salute of three volleys was 
fired by the regiment. It was a great day for the Union 
in Moniteau County, 

The social event of the month at the Tipton post was an 
officers' ball given on the night of Februarj^ 27th, when 
much hilarity was indulged in by tlie Lieutenant-Colonel 
commanding the post and a few other convivial spirits. 
This event was of a character not calculated to set the 
best example for the officers and men, or to promote a 
high standing of military discipline in the regiment. 
Lieutenant Beverly Searcy celebrated the occasion by 
marrying a young girl, only 18 years old. 

The next day — the last day of the month — was a ' 'red 
letter" day in camp, when battalion drills and the usual 
camp ceremonies were attempted and all attended with 
demoralizing failure, resulting from the bibulous dissipa- 
tion and a laxity of discipline in the command. On 
March 1st, the report at guard mount showed there were 
27 prisoners in the guard house, charged with minor in- 
fractions of camp orders and military discipline. The 
2nd day of March presented a novelty in the weather in 
the form of a severe snowstorm accompanied by loud 
peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning. The ele- 
ments seemed to be as much out of harmony with the 
season as the recent bad conduct in the camp was detri- 
mental to good morals and military discipline. 

On March 3rd, Colonel McDowell returned from a short 
Leave of absence but did not meet with a very warm re- 
ception from the men, on account of the wabbling insub- 



56 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ordination still rife in the command. On the next day 
marching orders were received for the regiment to pro- 
ceed to St. Louis on the cars, which set the men wild with 
joy at the prospect of getting out of the winter camp. 
The strength of the regiment was shown by a report to be 
as follows: present for duty, officers 27, men 701, total 
present, 728 ; absent, officers 11, men 85, total absent, 96 ; 
aggregate present and absent, 824. 



V 

ON TO SHILOH 

In the army and tliroughout the country public attention 
was almost entirely absorbed by the great victories won 
at Fort Henry on the Tennessee River and Fort Donel- 
son on the Cumberland River by the Union army com- 
manded by General U. S. Grant. It was a laudable am- 
bition and the patriotic desire of every worthy soldier 
in the western army to join the victorious legions gather- 
ing on the Tennessee River under the command of a lead- 
er who had developed the military capacity to Avin sub- 
stantial victories. There was a constant fear and dread 
of again being assigned to a command that would cam- 
paign in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, 
which haunted the mind of every soldier in the regiment 
like an ugly nightmare, so that when the orders to proceed 
to St. Louis were received there were great demonstra- 
tions of joy, and the enthusiasm in the camp was un- 
bounded. 

A wearisome and anxious waiting occurred on accomit 
of delay in furnishing the cars to carry the command for- 
ward. The anxiety was relieved, however, when the cars 
arrived at 5 p. m., March 6th, to transport the regiment 
to St. Louis. The four companies at Syracuse, whose 
tour of duty at that post had been without particular in- 
cident, and the six companies at Tipton, including bag- 
gage, wagons and mules, were all loaded on the cars and 
at 11 p. m. the whistle blew, the bell rang, *'all aboard" 
was announced, and the train pulled out amid the joy- 

57 



58 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

OTIS shouts of the many and the regretful good-byes of a 
few. 

While en route to St. Louis was a fitting opportunity 
for the men to dwell on the events of their eight months 
service in the army and pass in retrospective review 
their soldier life in Missouri. The winter camps were 
left behind with few regrets for the parting, although 
pleasant memories lingered with many of enjoyable 
social events and friendships made in pleasant families, 
at the towns and in the countiy adjacent to the camps. 
Pleasant evening parties, home-made dinners, and coun- 
try dances composed the social entertainments of the win- 
ter, and they were limited by the facilities of those who 
furnished them. 

The hot summer days, at Camp Jessie ; the epidemic of 
measles and scourge of fevers, at Camp Curtis; the 
profitless march to Springfield ; the dismal camp and sole- 
leather pies, at Sedalia; the intense cold and morning 
prayers, at La Mine Bridge ; the convivial and wrangling 
time at Tipton — all were passed in panoramic re- 
view, but whatever animosities there were then, time's 
relenting influence has dissolved. 

But saddest of all reflections was the knowledge that 
so many of those who had enlisted in, the vigor of their 
young manhood had been stricken by disease and had al- 
ready filled patriots' graves. A much larger number who 
had been prostrated by disease and the rigors of the ser- 
vice had been discharged for disability — greatly thin- 
ning the ranks of the regiment. 

The rank and file were growing sensitive about the fact 
that the regiment had been in the service, camping,. drill- 
ing, marching, and building fortifications, for eight 
months without coming in hostile contact with the enemy 



ON TO SHILOH 59 

in larger force than a squad or company of scouts. But 
the scenes of early labors and trials soon passed out of 
view, and all hopes and aspirations were centered in the 
new^ fields of operations opening up with the new year 
campaigns where fame and glory were tempting in the 
gathering storm of war. 

At the German village of Hermann en route, where the 
citizens were intensely loyal to the Union cause, a large 
quantity of native wine in bottles was distributed among 
the soldiers, with great generosity and liberality. The 
train arrived in the city of St. Louis at 3 p. m. and the 
regiment marched to the levee where it was at once 
marched on board the large and finely equipped river 
steamer, ' ' Crescent City ' '. Large details were made and 
worked until midnight transferring the baggage and 
wagon transportation to the steamer. The boat remained 
at the landing during the next day and night and on 
March 9th, at 2 p. m. it started down the river. It rained 
all the afternoon, to the great discomfort of those who 
were quartered on the upper deck. Finally, on account 
of a thick fog the boat landed and tied up for the night. 
During the next day, while the steamer was gliding 
down the river, new Springfield rifled muskets — the best 
muzzle loading arms used in the army — were issued to 
the men. The city of Cairo was reached at 11 p. m., and 
the boat tied up for the remainder of the night. 

The river front was crowded with steamboats, loaded 
\rith troops and army supplies, with gunboats and other 
boats anchored in the stream, and camps and soldiers, in 
all directions on shore. Thus, an interesting and inspir- 
ing scene was revealed to the waking soldiers in the early 
morning. 

At 11 a. m. the boat started up the Ohio River, arrived 



60 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

at Paducah, Kentucky, at 6 p. m., and tied up at a landing 
a short distance above the city. A great flood in the 
Ohio River had overflowed the bottoms and lowlands for 
miles on either side. The levee and landings at the city 
of Paducah were a repetition of the scenes at Cairo, 
everything indicating the greatest activity and prepar- 
ation for the forward movement of the army into the cen- 
ter regions and heart of the Confederacy. 

On March 12th, at 3 a. m. the lines were cast loose, the 
staging hauled in and the steamer again proceeded up the 
river; turned into the Tennessee River and arrived at 
Fort Henry, the scene of General Grant's and Commo- 
dore Foote's first victory, at 11 a. m. The burned rail- 
road bridge, a few miles above the fort, was passed, and 
small parties of the enemy were seen on horseback, at 
safe distances inland from the river. The steamer land- 
ed in a wilderness and tied up for the night, when guards 
were placed out on the shore. 

On March 13th, the boat arrived at the village of Sa- 
vannah, where General Grant had his headquarters, with 
his army embarked on a fleet numbering nearly a hundred 
steamers, all lying in the river above and below the land- 
ing. The spring freshet in the Tennessee River being at 
its highest stage, all classes of river craft — including the 
largest Mississippi boats — were engaged in the expedi- 
tion and all were loaded down to the guards with troops 
and munitions of war. 

While the ''Crescent City" was lying at Savannah, or- 
ders were received assigning the regiment to the Fifth 
Division of the Army of the Tennessee, and to a brigade 
composed of the 6th Iowa, Colonel John Adair McDowell ; 
40th Illinois, Colonel Stephen G. Hicks; 46th Ohio, 
Colonel Thomas Worthington; and the Morton (Indiana) 



ON TO SHILOH 61 

Battery, Captain Frederick Belir. Colonel McDowell 
commanded the brigade and Brigadier-General William 
T. Sherman commanded the division. 

The steamer remained at the landing until 6 p. m. the 
next evening, when it proceeded up the river four miles 
and took its position in the fleet. General Halleck, in a 
message to the army congratulating it for services gal- 
lantly performed, said : 

Fighting is but a small part of a soldier 's duty. It is discip- 
line, endurance, activity, strict obedience to orders, as much as 
steadiness and courage in battle, that distinguishes the true 
veteran and soldier. 

The long voyage on board the steamer, crowded from 
hold to hurricane deck with 700 troops, 50 boat crew, 150 
mules and horses, baggage and garrison equipage, army 
stores and supplies ; with scarcely any conveniences for 
cooking; poorly arranged and inadequate sanitary con- 
ditions; mth severe exposure and great discomfort, on 
account of frequent showers of rain and blustering 
flurries of snow — put to the test the patience and endur- 
ance of the men, who so soon thereafter showed distin- 
guished courage on the battlefield. 

On March 15th, the "Crescent City" started up the 
river at sunrise, preceded by the gunboat "Tyler". It 
put in at Pittsburg Landing for a short stop, then pro- 
ceeded up the river 15 miles to where a large force was 
attempting to land and strike the railroad inland several 
miles. In the afternoon the gunboat "Tyler", mth Gen- 
eral Sherman on board and accompanied by the "Cres- 
cent City", made a reconnoissance up the river to the 
mouth of Bear Creek, where the guns on the "Tyler" 
opened fire, shelling the enemy's Chickasaw Battery, but 



62 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

nothing was effected and the boats returned to the re- 
connoitering fleet, after which the whole expedition re- 
turned to Pittsburg Landing. The severity of the rain- 
storm that prevailed was evidenced by the fact that the 
Tennessee River rose 15 feet, plumb water in 24 hours, 
submerging the banks and bottoms back to the bluffs. 
On the 16th, the fleet remained tied up all day, under the 
high bluff above the landing. In the evening the regi- 
ment was ordered to prepare for a three days scout in- 
land, with cooked rations in the haversacks. A battalion 
of cavalry in the advance got off promptly in the even- 
ing, followed by Colonel McDowell's brigade at midnight 
— the 6th Iowa in advance. When the brigade had pro- 
ceeded a mile on a narrow country road through the dark 
woods, the cavalry force was met returning, whereupon 
the whole command returned to the river, where they 
stacked arms and remained until morning. At 8 a. m., 
March 17th, the regiment in light marching order pro- 
ceeded out on the Purdy road to Owl Creek, where Com- 
pany I went on picket guard at Owl Creek bridge, and 
the regiment halted for the night, back on the bluff over- 
looking the bridge. 

On Tuesdaj^ March 18th, the regiment again scouted 
the front out on the Purdy road for 3 miles and then re- 
turned to the east side of Owl Creek and established 
camp Avith the rest of the brigade. Company T> was left 
on picket guard at the bridge over Owl Creek on the 
Purdy road, near the little old grist mill. The tents and 
baggage did not arrive until Thursday, and during the 
time there was an almost constant do^vnpour of rain, 
causing great inconvenience and discomfort. When the 
tents arrived the brigade camp was established, with the 
6th Iowa on the right of the line and the brigade holding 



ON TO SHILOH 63 

the position on the right of the front line of the army, 
fronting to the southwest. Owl Creek, a small stream 
flowing to the north, with the valley skirting its banks, lay 
to the right and west of the camps, mth a small branch 
heading near the Shiloh Church and emptying into Owl 
Creek above the Purdy road bridge. It was covered 
along its banks with a thick growth of underbrush and 
vines, making a strong barrier protecting the front of the 
brigade. 

The general alignment of the brigade camp was along 
the south side of the Purdy road, the right resting at the 
top of the hill leading up from Owl Creek bridge and the 
left extending east to near the Shiloh Church, with head- 
quai-ters and the Morton Batter}" across the Purdy road 
and in the rear of the brigade line. Captain Walden, 
"with his company, was allowed to establish permanent 
camp and remain on duty at the outpost on Owl Creek. 

What was at first only intended as a reconnoissance in 
large force to destroy the railroads leading into Corinth, 
resulted in the whole army debarking and establishing 
the camps at Pittsburg Landing. It continued to rain 
incessantly, from day to day, until all the creeks and 
swamps were a flood of water and the wagon roads made 
impassable for wagon transportation and araiy move- 
ments. Company and battalion drills were inaugurated 
as a daily practice in the camps, and, on March 23rd, the 
whole division was reviewed by General Sherman. 

The rain having ceased the camps were thoroughly 
and systematically policed each day and a system of 
guards established which gave the camps an air of mili- 
tary discipline and cleanliness in harmony with the briglit 
sunsliine of the early spring days. A bountiful supply 
of good wholesome rations, a superb equipment of arms, 



64 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and an excellent camp and garrison outfit, caused general 
satisfaction, while the magnitude of the forces and camps 
inspired great confidence throughout the army. 

The presence of a vigilant and powerful enemy to dis- 
pute the advance of the army was almost daily demon- 
strated by engagements between the outpost and large 
scouting parties of the enemy's cavalry. 

The surrender of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, with 
their garrisons; the fall of Nashville and the abandon- 
ment of Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee ; the defeat of 
Price and McCulloch at Pea Eidge, in Arkansas, and the 
evacuation of Columbus on the Mississippi Kiver were 
all crushing defeats for the Confederates, and caused 
great depression and discouragement in their army and 
throughout the whole southern country. The civil 
authorities of the Confederate government at Richmond 
and the commanders of the army in the field were spurred 
to superhuman efforts to win a decisive and redeeming 
victory for their cause in the Western Department and 
the Mississippi Valley. 

Corinth was the storm center for the concentration of 
the Confederates, and at that point were fast gath- 
ering the forces of General Albert Sidney Johnston, from 
Bowling Green and Central Kentucky; General Braxton 
Bragg, from Mobile and Pensacola; General L. Polk, the 
great bishop and soldier, from Columbus and Western 
Kentucky; General John C. Breckinridge, with a strong 
reserve division, and all the small detachments and com- 
mands, from the south and west — creating a large and 
powerful army, with General Johnston in chief command 
and General P. G. T. Beauregard — a skilled and intrepid 
officer, having great prestige, on account of service at 
Charleston and commanding at Bull Run — the second in 



ON TO SHILOH 65 

command. The latter was entrusted with the organiza- 
tion of the army. 

General Henry W. Halleck, in chief command of the 
Western Department of the Union armies, with head- 
quarters at St. Louis, General Grant's army at Pitts- 
burg Landing, and General Don Carlos Buell's Army of 
the Ohio at Nashville were the gathering hosts for the 
Union. All, Union and Confederate, were preparing for 
the titan grapple in human conflict so soon precipitated, 
on the plains of Shiloh. 

Following the Confederate surrender and Union vic- 
tories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in February in- 
termeddling was begun by jealous and designing persons 
which engendered misunderstanding among the Union 
commanders and the authorities at Washington. This 
caused General TJ. S. Grant — the recognized hero and 
rising commander in the Union army — to be temporari- 
ly suspended from the command of his victorious army, 
and General Charles F. Smith — a veteran officer of the 
regular army — to be assigned to the command of the 
troops composing the expedition then forming and pro- 
ceeding up the Tennessee River. 

The position at Pittsburg Landing was selected by 
General Smith, and it was by his orders that the army 
disembarked and went into camp at that place, March 
16th. This plan was afterwards approved by General 
Henry W. Halleck, Department Commander, and adopted 
by General Grant, when restored to the command of the 
army. 

To continue the operations so successfully begun on the 
Tennessee River, it was the purpose and plan of the 
Union commanders to concentrate a large and well 
equipped army in that vicinity, so that when the weather 



66 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

became more settled, the country roads passable for 
wagon transportation, and everything in readiness the 
contemplated movement upon Corinth, Mississippi — 
twenty miles distant to the southwest of Pittsburg 
Landing, at the crossing of the Memphis and Charleston, 
and Mobile and Ohio, railroads — would be inaugurated. 
It was well understood throughout the army that the 
Confederates were concentrating all of their available 
forces at that point. Every soldier in the Union army, 
from private to commanding general, understood the sit- 
uation to be that the pending contest was for the mastery 
and military supremacy in the Mississippi Valley, and 
that the decisive battle would be fought at Corinth. 

With confident reliance in the security of the position 
and no apprehension of offensive operations by the enemy, 
no defensive preparations were made in and about the 
Union camps, on the west bank of the Tennessee River. 
The ordinary outposts for guarding the main roads lead- 
ing into the camps were maintained with cavalry and in- 
fantry, and the usual camp g-uards established through- 
out the camps. Scouting parties were sent out daily, 
more to develop the roads and general topography of the 
country, than to locate or engage the enemy. The whole 
trend of operations was conducted upon the theory that 
when the concentration of the army was complete and the 
condition of the weather favorable the army would ad- 
vance and engage the enemy on his chosen ground and 
fortified position at Corinth. 

When the weather permitted, company and battalion 
drills were practiced daily, which produced good results 
in health and tactical instruction, and showed marked im- 
provement in discipline in the regiment and throughout 
the whole command. 



ON TO SHILOH 67 

The inclement weather through March had caused the 
men to cling to their heavy coats and blankets; but, on 
March 28th, many took advantage of the opportunity of- 
fered and shipped extra clothing and blankets to their 
homes in Iowa. 

On Sunday, March 30th, the Sixth Iowa went through 
the formal Sunday morning inspection and attended 
church services in the afternoon, which was interrupted 
in the evening by a cavalry skirmish with the enemy be- 
yond the outpost on the Corinth road. 

With new Springfield muskets, good clothing, fine camp 
equipage, plenty of wholesome rations — including soft 
bread supplied by the regimental bakery, superb field 
transportation, improved medical and hospital accommo- 
dations, splendid bands and drum corps — dispensing- 
inspiring music, the troops were happy and supremely 
confident. 

Active campaigning and contact with a large army had 
improved the morale of the regiment, raised the standard 
of efficiency, and inspired confidence, so that the men in 
the regiment, who Avere actuated by patriotic motives and 
the spirit of true soldiers, were greatly encouraged and 
hopeful for the future good name and good conduct of 
the command. 

On Friday morning, April 4th, a scouting party of Con- 
federate cavalry made an attack on the picket guard post- 
ed on the Purdy road beyond Owl Creek, which was 
guarded by Captain Walden with, his company at the 
bridge. Here Charles F. Stratton, company drummer, 
serving on the picket post at the time, was shot and se- 
verely wounded in the hand, causing the amputation of a 
finger. The bold raiders were speedily driven away, by 



68 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the guards on duty, without any additional casualties. 
The jolly drummer boy of Company D had the distinction 
of being the first man in the regiment to be shot by the 
enemy. A battalion of cavalry was sent in pursuit of 
the fleet horsemen, but nothing further was developed, 
and the battalion returned before night. 

On the same evening a severe engagement was had on 
the main Corinth road, which rose to the dignity of a 
battle, infantry, cavalry, and artillery being engaged on 
both sides. 

Orders were issued increasing the guards for the night 
at all critical points, fresh supplies of ammunition were 
distributed in all regiments in McDowell's brigade, and 
the men instructed to sleep on arms in quarters ready to 
respond to the call at any moment during the night. At 
1:30 a. m., Saturday morning, April 5th, the men of 
McDowell's brigade were quietly aroused and the regi- 
ments formed in line of battle on the parade grounds in 
front of the camps fully armed and equipped for battle, 
and remained in that position until a severe rainstorm 
set in, when they returned to the tents. At daybreak 
they were again formed in front of the camps and stood 
to arms until long after daylight. 

Every soldier in that camp, who had given any atten- 
tion to the hostile demonstrations of the enemy, expected 
a battle to commence that morning, with just as much 
certainty as he expected the sun to rise. As the morn- 
ing wore away apprehension of immediate danger seemed 
to quiet down and the camps assumed the usual daily rou- 
tine of duties. Orders, however, were issued requiring 
the men to remain close in quarters during the day, 
where anxiety still remained at the highest tension. The 
men on duty at the outposts were vigilant and Avatchful 



ON TO SHILOH 69 

of every sound and movement at the front, where they 
knew the enemy was in great force, with hostile intent. 
Frequent collisions occurred during the day between the 
outposts and small scouting parties of the enemy, and 
at noon their cavalry assailed the guard on the Corinth 
road mth great fury, but were soon driven away by the 
reserves kept there in watchful expectancy of an attack. 

The usual evening parades were held by all the regi- 
ments camped in the front lines, when the music of the 
bands was distinctly heard in the lines of the enemy's 
advance forces. The bugles and drums sounded the 
tattoo at 9 p. m., which rang out clear and distinct on the 
evening air, indicating plainly the location and number 
of regiments in the lines of the Union army. The ming- 
ling of noises and the general hum in the camp of the 
enemy was distinctly audible to the Union pickets on the 
Corinth and Purdy roads, and especially at evening the 
sound was very distinct. Dogs accompanying the 
enemy's troops were attracted to the Union outposts dur- 
ing the evening, owing to the proximity of the lines. 

On Saturday evening, April 5th, the situation in the 
Union camps was substantially as follows: the outlying 
camps, forming the front line, extended from the Ham- 
burg crossing on Lick Creek — near the Tennessee River 
— across the wooded ridges and ravines to the Purdy 
road crossing of Owl Creek, three and a half miles west 
and south, from Pittsburg Landing. The four newly 
organized brigades composing Sherman's Fifth Division, 
with two partially organized brigades of General B. M. 
Prentiss' Sixth Division, occupied the line; Colonel 
McDowell's brigade on the extreme right of the line, at 
Owl Creek, Colonel Stuart's brigade on the left at Lick 
Creek, with Hildebrand's and Buckland's brigades, near 



70 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the Shiloh Church, and Prentiss' troops to the left of the 
church, and slightly in advance of the general line. Gen- 
eral McClernand's First Division, General Hurlbut's 
Fourth Division, and General W. H. L. Wallace 's Second 
Division were camped in the rear of the front line at con- 
venient supporting distance, extending back to Pittsburg 
Landing. General Lew Wallace's Third Division, with 
5000 effective men,*' was camped at Crump's Landing, 
five or six miles below Pittsburg Landing, and below the 
mouth of Snake Creek. General Grant had his head- 
quarters with a small guard of troops at Savannah, on 
the east bank of the Tennessee River ten miles below, 
where he had gone to spend the* night. 

The strength present for duty in the five divisions 
camped at Pittsburg Landing is sho^vn by the field re- 
turn of the army, dated April 4th-5th as follows : McCler- 
nand's division 7028, W. H. L. Wallace's division 8708, 
Hurlbut's division 7302, Sherman's division 8830, and 
Prentiss' division 5463; aggregate, 37,331 men and 132 
guns ^ of field artillery. This return included all men 
on duty as clerks, teamsters, cooks, hospital attendants, 
men under arrest, and those sick in quarters, so that the 
actual number present and in line with arms in their 
hands has been estimated at 33,000 officers and men. 

In the organization and administration of an army the 
soldier is necessarily a machine, until the rank of Colonel 
commanding a regiment is obtained. It is specified when 
he shall move, and when he shall not move ; when he shall 



6 The Third Di\4sion is listed in the official records as having an aggre- 
gate of 7564 men present for duty. — War of the Eehellion : Official Records, 
Series I, Vol. X, Pt. 1, p. 112. 

7 These five divisions are listed as having only fifty pieces of artillery. — 
War of the Eehellion: Official Records, Series I, Vol. X, Pt. 1, p. 112. 



ON TO SHILOH 71 

eat, and what he shall eat ; when he shall go to bed, and 
when he shall get up again. He is penned up in ai little 
sphere, and knows scarcely anything beyond it. He con- 
tracts his services to his government for a stipulated 
period, and he must sacrifice his life, if required, at any 
moment. He is just one in a great body of men, under 
military organization, bound by strict rules of discip- 
line and the araiy regulations. 

The brigade and division commanders in the army at 
Pittsburg Landing were all men of the highest personal 
character, noted for the high order of their intelligence, 
and great skill in the line of their civil professions. They 
were, also, great leaders in the political affairs of their 
States and the nation. General Sherman was the only 
division commander who had a military education, and 
only a very limited number of the brigade commanders 
had received militar^^ training or had come to their com- 
mands from the regular army. General Grant, the com- 
mander of the army, had graduated at West Point Mili- 
tary Academy, and ranked as a Captain at the time he re- 
signed and left the regular service, several years before 
the war. He had seen service in the Mexican War, and 
had been promoted to First-Lieutenant for gallantry in 
battle. 

None of the regiments in Prentiss' or Sherman's di- 
visions, occupying the front lines, had ever been under 
fire or seen an engagement of any consequence. The en- 
listed men and subordinate officers composing the rank 
and file of the army had been drawn from the farms, 
factories, shops, schools, and professions in that portion 
of the countiy, so recently carved out of the virgin forests 
and broad prairies of the great northwest portion of the 
country; hardy, self-reliant, patriotic, and devoted to 



72 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

their free homes, free institutions, and the principles of 
liberty. Inured to frontier life and pioneer hardships; 
schooled in the principles of freedom and the dignity of 
labor ; they stood in the ranks as volunteer soldiers — 
not for the glory and circumstance of war, but for a prin- 
ciple in human government, dear as life itself. Each 
man stood with unselfish devotion to duty — elbow to el- 
bow — ready, if need be, to sacrifice his life on the altar | 
of his country. 

The concentration of the Confederate forces at Corinth 
began about March 1st and was continued with great ac- 
tivity till April 1, 1862. General Albert Sidney Johnston ] 
was assigned to the chief command of the combined 
armies by Jefferson Da\"is, the Confederate President, ,:' 
with General P. G. T. Beauregard, second in command. . 
The troops were organized into four army corps com- j 
manded as follows: First Corps, General Leonidas: 
Polk; Second Corps, General Braxton Bragg; Third I; 
Corps, General William J. Hardee ; Fourth or Reserve • 
Corps, General John C. Breckinridge. The regiments, > 
brigades, and divisions were commanded by such dis-| 
tinguished soldiers as Alexander P. Stewart, B. F.I 
Cheatham, Bushrod Johnson, Daniel Ruggles, Randall L. 
Gibson, Patton Anderson, Preston Pond, J. M. Withers, i 
A. H. Gladden, James R. Chalmers, J. K. Jackson, 
Thomas C. Hindman, Patrick R. Cleburne, R. P. Trabue, 
John S. Bowen, William B. Bate, John H. Morgan, Na- 
than B. Forrest, Joseph Wheeler, John S. Marmaduke, 
Thomas Jordan, and Charles Clark; nearly all of whom 
were educated and trained soldiers and also distinguished 
citizens in their several States. 

General Albert Sidney Johnston had been educated at 
the West Point Military Academy, and had remained ic 



ON TO SHILOH 73 

the U. S. army for eight years, where he received a 
thorough knowledge of details in the military service. 
He resigned from the army and joined the cause of the 
infant Eepublic of Texas and became her Adjutant-Gen- 
eral, Senior Brigadier-General, and Secretary of AVar. 
He raised a regiment of Texans and joined General 
Zachary Taylor in the war with Mexico, where he was 
distinguished in battle. General Taylor declared him 
to be the best soldier he had ever commanded. He was 
made Colonel of one of the two new cavahy regiments 
provided for in 1855; breveted a Brigadier-General in 
1858, and placed in coimnand of the expedition in that 
year against the Mormons in Utah. He was in com- 
mand of the U. S. forces on the Pacific coast at the be- 
ginning of the war, and resigned to join the Confed- 
eracy. 

General P. G. T. Beauregard graduated at the military 
academy and was a highly accomplished officer in the en- 
gineer department of the U. S. army. He had come to 
the Western Department with great prestige, having com- 
manded the Confederate forces in Charleston harbor at 
the bombardment of Fort Sumter and led the victorious 
Confederate legions at the battle of Bull Run. 

General Leonidas Polk graduated at the military acad- 
emy and then became a bishop of great learning and in- 
fluence in the church. General Braxton Bragg was also 
a West Pointer and greatly distinguished in the artillery 
service of the U. S. army. General William J. Hardee 
graduated at the military academy, serv^ed in the army 
and was particularly distinguished as the author of Har- 
dee's Tactics, adopted by both Unionists and Confeder- 
ates in the war. General John C. Breckinridge was the 
Vice President of the United States in the Buchanan 



74 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

administration, and a Kentuckian of great prestige and 
influence. 

Isham G. Harris, Governor of Tennessee and serving 
as Special Aide on the staff of General Johnston ; George 
W. Johnson, Provisional-Governor of Kentucky and 
Special Aide on the staff of General Trabue; Colonel 
Jacob Thompson, late a member of President Buchanan's 
cabinet. Special Aide on the staff of General Beauregard, 
— all men of distinguished character in the political 
affairs of the country — were present ^\dth the army in- 
spiring and encouraging the troops. 

On April 3, 1862, a field return was made showing the 
strength of the Confederate army at Corinth to be 59,774 
men, present and absent; present in camp 49,444; total 
effective strength in line, with arms in their hands, 39,598 
men.^ 

The battle order was issued by General A. S. Johnston, 
on April 3, 1862, with detailed instructions to corps com- 
manders as to routes of march and battle formations, "it 
being assumed that the enemy is in position about a mile 
in advance of Shiloh Church, with his right resting on 
Owl Creek and his left on Lick Creek". The Third 
Corps, General Hardee commanding, formed the front 
line of battle with the brigades of Gladden, Hindman, 
Wood, and Cleburne; the Second Corps, General Bragg 
commanding, formed in the rear in the same order; the 
First Corps, General Polk commanding, formed in the 
rear of the Second, in column of brigades supporting the 
left; and the Fourth Corps, General Breckinridge com- 
manding, formed in the same order supporting the right, 
with both wings guarded by the cavalry. 

8 The official report lists a total of 38,773 effective men. — War of the 
BehelUon: Official Records, Series I, Vol. X, Pt. 1, p. 398. 



ON TO SHILOH 75 

In no other engagement during the war was there a 
battle formation so correct tactically or the attack so 
successfully delivered, as that of the Confederate army, 
on the field of Shiloh. The last paragraph in thes battle 
order as read to the troops is significant : 

The troops, individually so intelligent, and with such great 
interests involved in the issue, are urgently enjoined to be ob- 
servant of the orders of their superiors in the hour of battle. 
The officers must constantly endeavor to hold them in hand and 
prevent the waste of ammunition by heedless aimless firing. 
The fire should be slow, always at a distinct mark. It is ex- 
pected that much and effective work will be done with the 
bayonet. 

The Confederate plans contemplated that the attack 
should be made on Saturday morning, April 5th, but on 
the night of April 4th, the troops were no farther ad- 
vanced than Monterey, and did not reach the vicinity of 
the Tennessee Eiver, until about 4 p. m., on Saturday, 
when a council was held by Generals Johnston, Beaure- 
gard, and the corps commanders, and the attack post- 
poned until the next morning. 



! 



VI 

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 

The locality and topography of the battlefield is very 
accurately described by General Hardee in his report of 
the battle made to the Confederate authorities, thus : 

The Tennessee Kiver runs nearly due north from above Lick 
Creek to the mouth of Owl Creek, which creeks, after flowing 
nearly parallel to each other, empty into the river about 4 
miles apart. Pittsburg Landing is situated near the foot of 
the hills, and nearly midway between the mouths of the two 
creeks, on the west bank of the river. This bank of the Tennes- 
see is a range of bold, wooded hills, bordering the stream close- 
ly, which, as they recede from the river, gradually diminish, 
the slopes falling away from a ridge on the south toward 
Lick Creek and on the north toward Owl Creek. From Mickey 's, 
8 miles west from Pittsburg, rolling uplands, partially cultivated, 
interspersed with copses, thickets, and forests, with small fields, 
cultivated or abandoned, characterize the country from that 
point to the river. 

Colonel John Adair McDowell's First Brigade of Gen 
eral William T. Sherman's Fifth Division, embracing 
the 40th Illinois, 46th Ohio, and 6th Iowa regiments, and 
the Morton Battery, Indiana Artilleiy, occupied the right 
of the Union lines at Owl Creek — the Sixth Iowa at the 
extreme right of the line. The brigade was alert during 
the night and before daylight, on Sunday morning, April 
6th, the reveille was sounded at brigade headquarters. 
The troops were then quietly formed in line on the parade 
grounds in front of the camps, the arms stacked and the 
men allowed to return to quarters for breakfast. 

76 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 77 

At the first break of day musketry firing was heard at 
about the same point on the Corinth road where the en- 
gagement had occurred on the Friday evening before. 
An intermittent musketry fire continued for half an hour 
and the sun arose in cheering brilliancy without a cloud 
in the sky, when the firing was increased and rapidly ex- 
tended along the front in both directions from where it 
had commenced. The bugles sounded ''attention" and 
the men of the First Brigade quickly took their places in 
the line of their stacked guns, where they anxiously 
awaited developments. The long roll was beat in all the 
camps and the troops formed for action. The firing in- 
creased in volume and was plainly receding towards the 
camps to the left on the main Corinth road. 

It was about 7 o 'clock when the first cannon shot was 
fired by the enemy, which was quickly responded to by 
the Union batteries immediately in front of the Shiloh 
Church. The roar of battle steadily increased and it was 
plainly noticeable approaching nearer and nearer to the 
camps, until the loud cheering and battle yells of the 
enemy were distinctly heard, intermingled with the 
crashing volleys of musketry fire and the thunder tones 
of the artillery, as the storm of battle broke and extend- 
ed along the front of Prentiss' and Sherman's divisions. 

Company D, Sixth Iowa, Captain Walden commanding, 
posted at the Owl Creek bridge, guarding the approach to 
the right flank of the army on the Purdy road, had been 
wakeful and vigilant during the whole night. Outposts 
were advanced beyond the creek and the A\ade swamp 
bordering it on the far side, with posts up and doAvn the 
creek and to the left rear along a small branch, 
which had its source near the Shiloh Church and flowed 
down in front of the camps and emptied into Owl Creek 



78 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

a short distance above the bridge. The enemy made no 
attempt to reach the field of conflict by the Purdy road 
during the early morning, but did display a large force of 
infantry, cavalry, and artiller^^ in the woods across the 
open field lying beyond the branch leading up in front of 
the camps. Lieutenant John L. Bashore, in charge of the 
picket posts along that portion of the line, opened a brisk 
fire on the marching columns and advance scouts of the 
enemy, without dramng the fire of their main columns. 

Company I, Sixth Iowa, Captain Brydolf commanding, 
was sent to the front as skirmishers — deployed in front 
of the brigade camps, where they were engaged with the 
advance scouts of the enemy's forces visible from the Owl 
Creek bridge. 

Company K, Sixth Iowa, Captain White commanding, 
was detached and joined Captain Walden at the Owl 
Creek post, and also one gun of Captain Behr's Morton 
Battery was placed at the brow of the hill on the Purdy 
road as a support to the companies at the bridge. At 
about the same time, Lieutenant-Colonel Markoe Cum- 
mins (the only field officer with the regiment) moved 
the Sixth Iowa out in front of the parade ground to a 
position in the woods, where Company E, Captain Henry 
Saunders commanding; Company G, Captain John 
Williams commanding; and Company C, Lieutenant 
Robert Allison commanding, were designated to support 
one section of the Morton Battery, on a more distant ele- 
vation to the left and front. The 40tli Illinois was sent 
to the support of the brigade on the left, where it be- 
came hotly engaged. The Morton Battery opened fire 
on the moving masses of the enemy marching to the at- 
tack far out in front of the camps. The infantry and 
artillery had opened a brisk fire along the line to the left 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 79 

and the battle became general, as evidenced by the un- 
remitting roll of musketry and artillery along the entire 
front. 

Up to 10 o'clock McDowell's brigade had not been ser- 
iously engaged, but was held in line of battle in sight 
and hearing of a most desperate conflict, amid the crash 
and roar of 200 pieces of artillery, a continuous roll of 
musketry, rising and falling as it was wafted by the warm 
spring-day breeze, like the distant roar of a great falls, 
the smoke of battle ascending into the clear sky high 
above the scene of conflict, where it spread out into a 
great cloud, obscuring the sun. 

Between 9 and 10 o'clock, the 8 compauies were as- 
sembled and formed with the other regiments of the bri- 
gade in the woods near the brigade headquarters, the 
Sixth Iowa forming on the left of the brigade. The Mor- 
ton Battery was unlimbered for action, but Captain Fred 
Behr was almost immediately shot from his horse, and 
five of his six guns fell into the hands of the enemy. It 
was painfully evident that the Union lines were being 
steadily pressed back at all points and that the enemy 
was then between the brigade and the landing at the 
river. 

Colonel McDowell moved his command by the left flank 
to the rear through the woods to a point where it re- 
ceived the first volley fire from the enemy, which was re- 
plied to with great spirit by the skirmishers. The re- 
maining howitzer of the Morton Battery, which had been 
guarding the Owl Creek bridge, rejoined the brigade and 
with a few well directed rounds of canister cleared the 
field to the left and front of the column, of the enemy's 
scattered forces. It w^as during this engagement that 
Private James Mardis, of Company F, was killed; Lieu- 



80 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

tenant John T. Grimes, also of Company F, was severely 
wounded, and Lieutenant Joseph S. Halliday, of Com- 
pany I, was dangerously wounded and borne from the 
field. 

The Sixth Iowa was again moved ^\ith the brigade 
through the woods, passing over an old field and into the 
woods beyond it, where Lieutenant-Colonel Cummins 
halted it, about faced the left wing and marched it back to 
the field fence, leaving the other four companies standing 
in line in the woods. Colonel McDowell, who was person- 
ally directing the maneuvers of the brigade, appeared 
and asked: "What does all this mean!" — to which 
Captain Calvin Minton, commanding Company F, re- 
plied : "It means, sir, that the Colonel is drunk. ' ' Colo- 
nel McDowell then ordered the Adjutant of the regiment. 
Lieutenant Thomas J. Ennis, to relieve the Colonel of 
his sword and thereby place him under arrest. Captain 
Daniel Iseminger, of Company B, the ranking officer, as- 
sumed command, the two wings were united, and the 
regiment resumed its place in the brigade. 

It was at this point while the regiment was being re- 
formed in the woods, at about the hour of 11:30 a. m., 
that Captain Walden and Captain White, with compan- 
ies D and K, rejoined it and took their places in the line. 

Captain Walden 's orders had been to hold the Owl 
Creek bridge until relieved or forced by the enemy to 
abandon the position. At about 10 a. m., when the po- 
sition at brigade headquarters was being abandoned, 
Corporal George Albertson, of Company B, clerk in the 
Assistant Adjutant-General's office at the headquarters, 
was dispatched by Colonel McDowell with orders for 
Captain Walden, directing him to join the regiment with 
his command. To execute the orders Corporal Albert- 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 81 

son made a hurried trip on foot along the Purdy road, 
then gay with peach blossoms and the perfume of wild 
flowers scenting the air — mingled with rather lively 
notes of whistling bullets and screeching shells. Though 
completely exhausted he w^as well repaid for his gallant 
efforts by the welcome he received from the men who had 
''kept the bridge", and were thus relieved from their 
perilous position. 

The camps having been abandoned by the troops and 
occupied by the enemy — cutting off all hope of joining 
the regiment by that route. Captain Walden marched 
his command in good order, from the post and camp he 
had occupied with his company since the time the army 
arrived and went into camp, keeping under the lee of the 
bluff bordering on Owl Creek, and following down its 
course through mud and water until the overflow in the 
swamp w^as an impassable barrier to farther progress. 
Then a reconnoitering party was sent over the high bluff 
where the regiment was found in the woods a short dis- 
tance from the brow of the hill. 

The position at Owl Creek was at once occupied by 
Colonel John A. Wharton's regiment of Texas Rangers. 
In his report of the battle, Colonel Wharton said that he 
passed over the Owl Creek bridge with his regiment at 
11 a. m., on Sunday morning, April 6, 1862. Being or- 
dered to pursue the retreating force, he did so, but had 
not gone over 300 yards when the head of his column re- 
ceived a withering fire from a large force who lay in am- 
bush, which ended the pursuit. Those Union soldiers 
who were sick and not able to march, and those who at- 
tempted to march and were overcome ^rith exhaustion in 
the swamp, including Corporal Albertson, were captured 
by the Texas Rangers. 



82 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The Sixth Iowa in concert with the rest of the brigade, 
and under the personal direction of Colonel McDowell, 
moved by the left flank for a long distance through the 
woods and across small fields to a point where the brigade 
was formed in line of battle and the whole marched for- 
ward to a position, mth the left flank of the regiment 
resting among the tents at the end of a large camp, the 
colors and center occupying the parade ground and a 
wagon road in front of the camp, while the right wing 
extended to the right on gently rising ground and slight- 
ly deflected to the rear, with the 46th Ohio still extending 
to the right and rear, guarding the extreme right flank 
of the line. The 40th Illinois was advanced to the sup- 
port of a battery on the left where it connected with the 
right of the general line then established in General 
McClernand's camp. 

It was by order of Colonel McDowell that Captain John 
Williams took command of the regiment while it was 
passing through the woods to the position taken at Mc- 
Clernand's camp. Orders were given for companies B 
and H to advance from the right of the regiment, under 
command of Captain Daniel Iseminger, and hold a slight 
ridge just in front of the line ; companies D and I, from 
the left of the line, to charge upon a battery about 300 
yards to the front, which had opened a destructive fire of 
shot and shell, and the center companies to lie down and 
commence firing upon the enemy at the guns and the in- 
fantry columns forming and advancing in heavy force 
through the open woods to the front and right of the po- 
sition. 

These orders were all cheerfully and promptly execut- 
ed and it was while engaged in that position of the move- 
ment assigned to him that Captain Iseminger received 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 83 

the mortal wound which caused his death where he fell 
on the battlefield. Companies D and I were led in the 
charge by CaiDtain AValden and Captain Brydolf with 
great spirit and gallantry to the muzzles of the g"uns, 
when the enemy opened a galling cross-fire from the left 
front and pressed forward heavy lines of fresh troops in 
front, causing the companies to fall back to the line held 
by the regiment. 

The battery renewed the fire mth such destructive ef- 
fect to the line that the same companies were again or- 
dered to advance and silence the guns. It was while giv- 
ing the order to his company to charge that Captain 
Biydolf exhibited the greatest energy and determination 
— inspiring his men to the highest tension of heroic 
eifort. In the midst of a terrific canister and musketry 
fire his sword arm was struck and broken, and a second 
shot inflicted a serious and dangerous wound in the neck, 
after which he was borne from the field permanently dis- 
abled. Again finding the resistance of the enemy over- 
powering, the men, by order of Captain Walden, slowly 
and sullenly returned to their position in the line with 
the regiment and joined in the firing. 

The companies holding the line where it crossed the 
open parade ground and wagon road, which led up to the 
enemy's battery and his heavy lines of infantry then as- 
sailing the right flank of the Union line, were in the storm 
center of the raging battle. For more than three hours 
a rapid and destructive fire was maintained by the regiment 
from its position against the repeated assaults of the 
enemy made in great force and sustained by a most ter- 
rific artillery and musketrj^ fire. The parade ground and 
wagon road clearing made an opening through the forest 
of large oaks, over which the battle raged with varying 



84 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

hope and despair for so many hours. Here Captain 
Henry Saunders, with his Company E as the color com- 
pany of the regiment, kept the colors flying amid the 
storm of bullets, canister, and bursting shells, until near- 
ly one-half of his company was killed or disabled. It 
was in this maelstrom of battle that Captain Richard E. 
White was instantly killed by a cannon shot, while di- 
recting his company with great skill and cool courage. 

While passing along the line giving directions for fir- 
ing, Colonel McDowell was thrown from his horse and 
seriously shocked. Being a large man and somewhat 
corpulent he was unable to keep his seat while his horse 
Avas plunging through the thicket and across a ravine. 
He fell to the ground with great force and was seriously 
hurt. It was with difficulty that he arose to his feet and 
was conducted from the field. He did not command 
again during the battle. 

General Sherman appeared along the line of battle fre- 
quently during the protracted engagement and personally 
gave directions to the regiment. It was by his order, 
delivered by him personally to the men and officers in the 
line, that they abandoned the position. At the moment 
the order was given to fall back Captain John Williams 
was severely wounded by a rifle ball through the left 
thigh, and was borne from the field. 

General Hardee describes this final onset of the enemy, 
thus : ^ 

On my arrival in that quarter our forces were found hotly 
engaged with the lines of the enemy in front. Rapidly collect- 
ing four regiments under cover of a ravine, screening them 
from the view and fire of the enemy, I placed them in a position 
which outflanked their line. Availing myself of a critical 
moment when the enemy in front was much shaken, I ordered 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 85 

these regiments from the ravine, and hurled them against the 
right flank of their line, and it gave way in tumultuous rout 
, . . . I ordered Colonel Wharton to charge their fleeing 
battalions. The command was obeyed with promptitude, but in 
the ardor of the charge the cavalry fell into an ambuscade and 
was repulsed with some loss. The gallant Wharton himself was 
wounded. Simultaneouslj^ Morgan dashed forward with his 
usual daring on their left, and drove the scattered remnants of 
their regiments from the field. 

The battle fought by a portion of Sherman's division 
during the afternoon, on the extreme right flank of the 
anny, was one of the most stubbornly contested engage- 
ments of that bloody field. A stand was maintained for 
four long hours against the furious assaults of the best 
troops in the Confederate army, led by General Hardee 
in person. 

General Patrick R. Cleburne, commanding a brigade 
composed of the 6th Mississippi, 15th Arkansas, 2nd, 5th, 
23rd, and 24th Tennessee regiments, and two batteries 
of artillery, opened the battle in the morning in front of 
the Union right flank at Owl Creek and was engaged con- 
stantly throughout the day on that part of the field. 

The 15th Arkansas, 23rd, 24th, and 35th Tennessee 
regiments, being the four regiments referred to by Gen- 
eral Hardee, which were hurled against the Union flank, 
were led by General Cleburne. Colonel Robert P. Tra- 
bue's Kentucky brigade, composed of the 4th Alabama 
battalion, a Tennessee battalion, the 31st Alabama, 3rd, 
4th, 5th and 6th Kentucky regiments, Morgan's cavalry, 
and two Kentucky batteries, participated in the engage- 
ment. In his full and comprehensive report of the battle 
the Colonel refers to this contest as follows : 

I had only three regiments in line — the Fourth, Sixth, and 



86 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Fifth Kentucky .... I fought him .... for an 
hour and a quarter, killing 400 or 500 of the Fortj^'-sixth Ohio 
Infantry alone, as well as many of another Ohio regiment, a 
Missouri regiment, and some Iowa troops. ... It would 
be impossible to praise too highly the steadiness and valor of 
my troops in this engagement. 

These two commands sustained the greatest loss in 
killed and wounded of any of the Confederate brigades 
engaged in the battle. 

Colonel Benjamin J. Hill, commanding the 5th Ten- 
nessee of Cleburne's brigade, graphically described the 
operations against the Union right, in the following 
words : 

I was then directed, as senior colonel, to take command of all 
the troops on my left by one of General Beauregard's staff, which 
I did, and formed them in line of battle, to keep back their 
right wing. Thus, with two Louisiana regiments on the left of 
your [Cleburne's] brigade, the Texas Rangers on the extreme 
left, on Owl Creek, a battery in our rear, the Louisiana cavalry 
as pickets, and the Fifteenth Arkansas .... as skirmish- 
ers, we advanced at once, driving the extreme right of the enemy 
for at least a mile before us. They halted at their third en- 
campment and gave us a stubborn fight .... As far as 
my observation went all the Tennessee troops fought well. So it 
was with the Arkansas troops, the Mississippi, the Kentucky, 
and the Alabama troops on the left. 

Thus do the Confederates tell the story of the battle on 
the right flank of the Union army, on Sunday. 

At 3 p. m., General Grant inspected the lines on the ex- 
treme right and consulted with General McClemand and 
General Sherman. They hoped to maintain the position, 
but the prolonged contest of more than four hours, with 
a large force of infantry and cavalry swiftly advancing 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 87 

on the right flank and rear of the position, pouring in a 
destructive cross-fire — together with the fresh legions 
advancing, with loud yells in front, made the position 
held by McDowell's brigade very critical, and those com- 
manders then gave the orders to abandon the line. 

General John A. McClemand, in his report of the bat- 
tle, referred to the engagement as follows: "In thus 
awarding honor to the meritorious it is but just to rec- 
onize the good conduct of the portion of General Sher- 
man's division participating in this protracted and des- 
perate conflict". General Sherman said: ''We held 
this position for four long hours, sometimes gaining and 
at other times losing ground". 

A small creek lay in the rear and across the line of re- 
treat, having its source in the center of the battlefield, 
running thence in a northerly direction and emptying in- 
to Snake Creek just above the military bridge on the 
wagon road leading from the Pittsburg Landing to the 
Crump's Landing. The valley and slopes of this creek 
were thickly covered with a heavy growth of large trees 
and a perfect wilderness of brush and vines, in the pass- 
age of which all formation was destroyed, causing the first 
break and demoralization in the ranks of the regiment, 
during the day. 

As the men emerged from the thickets on the high and 
open ground beyond the hollow they were rallied around 
their officers. Captain Saunders and Captain Walden — 
the ranking officers remaining — formed the regiment in 
line with about 300 men present and took position in the 
new line then being established by General Sherman for 
his command. Captain Walden assumed command of the 
regiment. Captain Minton and Lieutenant Eobert Alli- 
son had also collected 20 men, including Color-Sergeant 



88 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Henry Eoberts with the flag, and, for the time, joined 
Colonel Joseph R. Cockerill with a fragment of his 70th 
Ohio regiment. 

It was at the instance of Colonel J. D. Webster, Chief 
of Artillery, serving on the Staff of General Grrant, that 
the regiment was moved to the immediate support of the 
heavy siege guns in the line near the landing, where it 
was in the fray at the last desperate onset of the army to 
carry the position. The artillery fire opened from the 
Union lines by the concentrated field batteries, siege guns, 
Parrott guns, and the loud explosions of the big guns on 
the gun boats, was a most terrific cannonade, concussion 
of which caused the blood to burst from the nose and 
ears of men who were in the line supporting the guns. 
The hearing of a number of men in the Sixth Iowa was 
permanently injured, while supporting that battery. 

General Grant's presence on the field and along the 
line of batteries formed by Colonel Webster was con- 
spicuous. It was in his report of the battle, dated April 
9, 1862, that he complimented Colonel Webster for his 
services at that time, thus: ''At least in one instance 
he was the means of placing an entire regiment in a po- 
sition of doing most valuable service". He had refer- 
ence undoubtedly to the Sixth Iowa and its support of 
the battery in the line that was held, as Colonel Webster 
rode at the head of the column and placed the regiment in 
position in the line. 

It was late in the afternoon when the advance troops 
of General Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio ap- 
peared on the east bank of the Tennessee River, opposite 
Pittsburg Landing, and the steamboats lying at the land-l 
ing commenced transferring them across. The three 
regiments first ferried over arrived on the field in time 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 89 

to witness the baffled and beaten lines of the enemy, re 
tiring from their last assault. Their march from the 
boats up the steep bluff and back to the lines about the 
batteries was through a motley throng of wounded men 
and stragglers — a scene calculated to test the courage 
of the stoutest hearts. But never did stalwart soldiers 
march so resolutely and appear so determined as did the 
superbly equipped and highly disciplined men in Briga- 
dier-General Jacob Ammen's brigade, composed of the 
36th Indiana, 6th and 24th Ohio regiments, on that event- 
ful evening ; nor did strains of music ever sound so sweet 
as did the patriotic airs played by the brass bands march- 
ing at the head of each regiment. They marched directly 
to the front lines and were there engaged mth the enemy 
in the closing scenes of the day. 

General William Nelson, who commanded the advance 
division of Buell's army, said in his report dated April 
10,1862: 

I found cowering under the river bank when I crossed from 
7,000 to 10,000 men, frantic with fright and utterly demoral- 
ized. . . . They were insensible to shame or sarcasm — for 
I tried both on them — and, indignant at such poltroonery, I 
asked permission to open fire upon the knaves. 

He was a blustering braggart and a military tyrant, and 
thus did an injustice to thousands of sick and wounded 
men, who were as brave and gallant soldiers as ever 
marched to the music of the Union. It is very probable 
that when General Jefferson C. Davis refused toi submit 
to his cruel tyranny and shot him to death in the hotel 
at Louisville, Kentucky, he met the fate he deserved. 

It may have appeared to some during the severe con- 
test in front of the batteries that the only hope was 



90 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

*'Biiell or sundown", but the Confederates in their re- 
ports of the battle disclose the fact that General Beaure- 
gard had given up the contest for the day and commenced 
the withdrawal of his army at sundown. The last as- 
sault made by the Confederates in the evening was led 
by Brigadier-General James R. Chalmers, commanding 
a brigade composed of one battery, the 51st and the 52nd 
Tennessee, the Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Miss- 
issippi regiments, and Brigadier-General J. K. Jackson, 
commanding a brigade embracing an Alabama battalion, 
an Arkansas battalion, a battery, the second Texas, the 
Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth Alabama in- 
fantry regiments. The Nineteenth Alabama was led by 
its Colonel, Joseph Wheeler, the afterwards famous cav- 
alry commander in the Spanish- American War, and Bri- 
gadier-General in the U. S. army. 

On April 12, 1862, General Chalmers made his report of 
the battle and describes this engagement as follows : 

My brigade, together with that of Brigadier-General Jackson, 
filed to the right and formed facing the river and endeavored 
to press forward to the water 's edge, but in attempting to mount 
the last ridge we were met by a fire from a whole line of bat- 
teries protected by infantry and assisted by shells from the gun- 
boats. Our men struggled vainly to ascend the hill, which was 
very steep, making charge after charge without success, but con- 
tinued to fight until night closed hostilities on both sides. Dur- 
ing this engagement Gage's battery was brought up to our as- 
sistance, but suffered so severely that it was soon compelled to 
retire. 

The artillery kept up a ceaseless fire, the great red 
flames pouring out from the muzzles of more than a hun- 
dred cannon into the darkness of the night. The huge 



THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 91 

missiles, bursting and tearing through the timber, were 
terrifying scenes, and, if possible, more startling than 
the roar and clash of battle on the field during the day. 
It was late in the evening that the regiment was retired 
a few yards in the rear of the artillery line, where it 
bivouacked and remained during the night. A large 
number of the men had lost or thrown away their haver- 
sacks during the day and were without provisions in 
their exhausted and hungry condition. 

From early morning through all the changing scenes 
of the day, the actions and conduct of no other one man 
in the regiment had been so critically observed as that of 
the young Adjutant, Thomas J. Ennis, who had withstood 
the gibes and jeers of the men on several occasions, after 
his appointment to the position of Regimental Adjutant. 
The battle was the opportunity which he had coveted for 
vindication, against the inconsiderate reproaches heaped 
upon him, and to establish himself in the confidence of 
the regiment. At the most critical periods during the 
contests of the day he was conspicuous with sword in hand 
passing from one flank of the regiment to the other, ex- 
hibiting great personal courage and inspiring the men 
with firmness to stand in the midst of the death dealing 
storm of bullets and shells. Youthful in appearance, 
slender in stature, highly intellectual — in repose, modest 
and retiring — in the presence of danger, heroic and com- 
manding — he was the ideal soldier — ever ready at the 
post of duty. Shiloh was his graduation into the affec- 
tions of the men and officers of the regiment, by whom 
he was ever after held in the highest esteem, as a soldier 
and Christian gentleman. 

All through the long weary hours of the night there 



92 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

was the steady tramp ! tramp ! tramp ! of Buell's brigades 
arriving and going into position. The drenching rain, 
vivid lightning, and loud peals of thunder mingled with 
the regular boom! boom! boom! of the gunboats' big 
guns sending their hundred pound compliments far over 
into the lines of the enemy. Altogether, it was a night 
of exposure, great discomfort, and much anxiety. 



VII 

AFTER THE BATTLE OF SHILOH 

With scarcely any convenience or opportunity for sleep 
during the night, the men of the Sixth Iowa were astir 
at the first dawn of day, still greatly fatigued from the 
efforts and labors of the previous day. The exposure in 
the drenching rain throughout the night had caused many 
to be disqualified for a renewal of the contest. The se- 
vere losses sustained by the regiment in killed, wounded, 
prisoners, and sick had thinned the ranks to less than 
half of the number who had answered to the roll call on 
Sunday morning. 

There being no brigade organization attempted and 
not receiving orders to go to the front, where the battle 
was renewed at daylight by Buell's fresh divisions and 
General Lew Wallace 's division from Crump 's Landing, 
the regiment was placed in the line of reserves near the 
line of artillery, occupied the evening before. At about 
10 o'clock, several small squads were granted permis- 
sion to go forward as the lines advanced and recover the 
severely wounded men of the regiment, who had been 
left on the field where they fell. They mostly fell in with 
the 24th Indiana Regiment of General Lew Wallace's 
division on the right of the lines, and were hotly engaged 
with his troops in driving the enemy from the field held 
so long by McDowell's brigade on Sunday afternoon. 
To see such a large number of dead men lying on the field 
and witness the suffering of the severely and mortally 
wounded, on the recovery of the ground where the regi- 

93 



94 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ment had fought so long, was a distressing sight and piti- 
able to behold. 

Captain Minton and Lieutenant Robert Allison, mth 
their detachment, remained with the 70th Ohio through- 
out the day participating in several engagements, and 
only ceased when the enemy had fled and abandoned 
the field. They returned with a portion of their men in 
the evening to the field of Sunday's engagement and as- 
sisted in sending the wounded men to the hospital boats 
at the landing. 

At 1 :30 p. m., the officers and men remaining, under the 
command of Captain Walden, joined General James A. 
Garfield's brigade of Buell's army, which had just ar- 
rived by steamers from Savannah and was marching to 
the front. In his report dated April 9, 1862, General 
Garfield said: 

A fragment of the Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry was tem- 
porarily attached to my brigade, by command of Major-General 
Grant. I immediately moved my column forward about 3 miles 
to the front of General Buell's position, which I reached about 3 
o'clock p. m. . . . My command was for some time under 
fire from the batteries of the enemy. 

At one o'clock General Beauregard determined to 
"withdraw from so unequal a conflict", and at 2 p. m. 
gave the orders to his troops to begin the retrograde 
movement, which, he said, "was done with uncommon 
steadiness and the enemy made no attempt to follow". 
General Buell said: "The enemy made his last decided 
stand .... in the woods beyond Shemian's camp 
. . . . The pursuit was continued no farther that 
day." Captain Walden with his "fragment" of the 
Sixth Iowa was in at the finale and among the Union 
troops who were last to be fired upon by the retreating 



AFTER SHILOH 95 

Confederates, more than a mile southwest of the Shiloh 
Church. 

The well drilled and highly disciplined troops of Gener- 
al Buell's army renewed the battle on Monday morning 
with great spirit and gallantry. The enemy's troops 
were for the time reanimated by the excitement of the 
battle, and fought with unconquerable spirit, but their 
tired and disordered soldiers — seemingly brave and 
steadfast as the rocks — were compelled to give up the 
struggle. The battle of Shiloh was fought at the begin- 
ning of the campaigns in the second year of the war, and 
the majority of the troops, on either side, had not been 
engaged before in a general battle. 

General Grant's army was a concentration of the avail- 
able forces in General Halleck's territory of the Union 
Western Department, and General Johnston's army com- 
bined the organized forces east of the Mississippi River 
in the Confederate Western Department, which gave the 
engagement the magnitude and character of a decisive 
battle of the war. 

The organization of the Confederate army and the 
esprit de corps of the troops was superb; the battle or- 
der and attack was a model of militarj^ science and tac- 
tics; and on the field of battle the leadership was cou- 
rageous and brilliant. 

The Union formation and preparation for defense was 
almost — if not wholly — without military order or sys- 
tem. The stubborn resistance made by the troops was 
an exhibition of heroic courage, patient endurance, and 
great gallantry — not paralleled during the war. 

It is sheer conjecture as to what might have been the 
result on Monday had not Buell's army arrived on Sun- 
day night. Certain it is that the troops of both armies 



96 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

were thoroughly exhausted on Sunday evening, when the 
Confederates had made their heroic effort to carry the 
Union position defending the landing, and failed — 
drawing off to the captured camps for the night. 

The Confederates are no more open to criticism for 
their failure to annihilate and capture Grant's army on 
Sunday evening than are the combined Union armies for 
allowing the Confederates to abandon the field on Mon- 
day afternoon, after the second day's hard fighting, prac- 
tically without pursuit. 

The Confederate army resumed the fight on Monday 
greatly depleted in numbers. Hundreds of their best men 
from each brigade were dead on the battlefield or in the 
hospitals wounded, and hundreds of others had run away 
from the fight of the day before — some through coward- 
ice and some loaded with plunder looted from the Union 
camps. 

General Cleburne 's brigade went into the fight on Sun- 
day morning with about 2700 men in line, and on Mon- 
day morning he could only rally 800 effective men for 
duty in the front line of battle. His brigade was prob- 
ably only an example of what the condition was through- 
out the whole Confederate army. 

On March 30, 1862, the Sixth Iowa had present for 
duty in camp at Shiloh, 27 officers and 609 enlisted men ; 
of these there were 600 officers and men who actually par- 
ticipated in the battle. Out of this number, the regiment 
suffered a loss of 2 officers and 44 men killed, 22 men who 
died of wounds, 4 officers and 98 men wounded, and 1 
officer and 36 men taken prisoner, a total loss of 207.^ 

9 The official report gives the casualties of the Sixth Iowa as follows : 
three officers and forty-nine men killed, four officers and ninety men 
wounded, and one officer and thirty-six men missing, a total loss of one 



I 



AFTER SHILOH 97 

The first reports made of the wounded embraced the 
names of all — including those only slightly wounded, 
who at once returned to the ranks for duty. The whole 
countr}'^ was shocked at the long lists of killed and wound- 
ed, which resulted in orders being issued to revise the 
list and report only the names of those who were serious- 
ly disabled, and taken to the hospitals — which was strict- 
ly complied with in the Sixth Iowa. The fact that 96 
were still absent in hospitals on April 30th, indicates the 
serious character of their wounds. 

The following is the list of casualties in the regiment 
by name: 

COMPANY A 

Killed: Sergeant Samuel W. Bowers and Private 
George M. Sharp. 

Died of Wounds: privates — John Boardman, Henry 
M. Howe, and Matthew Mitchell. 

Wounded: Corporal John A. Gunn; privates — 
Charles L. Byam, Emery I. Bixby, William Brown, John 
B. Brown, John Carnagy [Camaggf], John A. Clark, 
Jeremiah Freeman, John Pierce, Joseph Perrigo, Sey- 
mour B. Plummer, Isaac N. Wood, and Lafayette Wiggins. 

Prisoners : privates — Charles L. Byam, William 
Brown, Jeremiah Freeman, Charles Ovington, Isaac N. 
Wood, and Lafayette Wiggins. 

COMPANY B 

Killed : privates — Charles J. Cheeney, Monroe Har- 
din, Oliver B. Miller, William Sheets, John M. Sayre, and 
John W. Weaver; Corporal James H. Spurling, and Cap- 
tain Daniel Iseminger. 

hundred and eighty-three. — War of the Bebellion: Official Eecwds, Series 
I, Vol. X, Pt. 1, p. 103. 



98 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Died of Wounds : Sergeant John W. Armstrong, and 
Private Z. M. Lanning. 

Woimded: privates — Jesse L. Adkins, Andrew J. 
Egbert, James H. Hess, George F. Holmes, William J. 
Hamilton, Michael Karns [Kanis?], Ramond [Ray- 
mond?] Ross, James Riley Smith, and John Sharp. 

Prisoners: Corporal George Albertson and Private 
Lemuel G. Knotts. ;,► 

COMPANY C 

Killed : Sergeant Charles J. Payne. 

Died of Wounds : Sergeant John Lockard and Private 
George Reed. 

Wounded : Sergeant Thomas J. Newport ; privates — 
William J. Brown, Currency A. Gummere, and Charles A. 
Voils. 

Prisoners : privates — Martin V. Allen, Gilbert G. 
Vandervort, and Jackson Woodruff. f 

j 

COMPANY D " ^ 

Killed : privates — Oliver P. Atkinson, William De- 
lap, David W. McGee; Corporal George R. Vincent. 

Wounded: First Sergeant Grotius N. Udell, Corporal 
Joseph K. Morey, Drummer Charles F. Stratton; pri- 
vates — John B. Armstrong, Benjamin F. Bradley, Peter 
Koontz [Kuhns?], Thomas H. Morris, Marcellus Westen- 
haver; and Bugler Jerome B. Summers [Sommers?]. 

Prisoners : privates — Uri Hallock and James M. Zim- 
mer. I 

COMPANY E I 

Killed: First-Sergeant David J. Hays; privates — 
George A. Brown, William B. Crawford, John R. [L.I] 
Harrison, Thomas McKissick, James B. Duncan, Oliver 
P. Evans, William Swayney, Walter Smith[?], William 



AFTER SHILOH 99 

H. Waugh, William H. Willsey [Company A?], George 
W. Willsey [Company Af], Frederick F. [Edward S.?] 
Weed. 

Died of Wounds: privates — Hilas L. Kells [Kills!], 
Thomas Fnllerton, Solomon Kellogg and Nathaniel Car- 
ter. 

Wounded : Lieutenant John H. Orman, Corporal Ben- 
jamin F. Scott ; privates — Cyrus N. Blue, Thomas B. 
Baker, Noah Carmach, Charles H. Claver, Levi S. T. Hat- 
ton, Joseph W. Hare, Grandison Hendrix, James E. Kel- 
logg [Company C?], George A. Lewman [Looman?], Jo- 
seph McKissick, Thomas J. Smith, John W. Service, and 
William S. Whitmore. 

Prisoners: Private Elias A. Miles and Sergeant 
Stephen J. Gahagan. 

COMPANY F 

Killed: corporals — Zeph. F. Delany and Jackson 
Wiggins; privates — James Hight, James Mardis and 
Grundy Lock. 

Died of Wounds: Sergeant George W. Hess. 

Wounded: Lieutenant John T. Grimes, Sergeant 
Elihu Gardner ; corporals — Andrew Byers and Nathaniel 
Thrasher; privates — Joseph N. Ballon, Edward Cham- 
bers, Jonathan L. Haggerty, John M. Hunter, David T. 
McFarland, William Padgett, Alexander B. Stewart, and 
Clark Tripp. 

Prisoners: privates — Elam Ford, William S. Moore, 
Alfred G. Eamine. 

COMPANY G 

Killed: Sergeant Lorenzo D. Prather, Corporal Wil- 
liam Davis, Private David Moreland. 

Died of Wounds: privates — James Calhoun and 
George Reedy. 



100 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Wounded : corporals — Samuel J. Plymesser and John 
Ditto ; privates — Thomas A. Clark, Perry L. Foot 
[Foote?], John A, Green, William F. Green, Robert J. 
Jones, George A. Miller, George S. Richardson, William 
A. Richardson, Jacob Will; Captain John Williams. 

Prisoners : Corporal John Ditto ; privates — John A. 
Green, Charles Nickerman, George S. Richardson, and 
William Yingiing. 

COMPANY H 

Killed : Corporal William T. Hufford ; privates — 
George Knuck and Pleniy W. Smith. 

Died of Wounds : privates — Albert M. Smith and 
Frank T. Scott. 

Wounded : privates — John W. Hufford, Sanf ord P. 
Burk, James S. Ortman, Peter Robertson, and William 
Spain. 

Prisoners: Sergeant Abraham B. Stevens, Corporal 
Daniel P. Fithian, Drummer William H. Price ; privates 
— John Carroll, William Church, James A. Cole, Daniel 
Fitz-Henry, Charles Hass ; First-Sergeant John A. Mar- 
tin, Captain Washington Galland. 

COMPANY I 

Killed : privates — Archibald Conner, George W. Clark, 
Gustavus Johnson, David Key, and Christopher C. Phil- 
brook. 

Died of Wounds: Musician Noyes W. Wadsworth and 
Private Albert Wentworth. 

Wounded: privates — William Baker, John Harpman, 
James H. Herron, Charles Jericho, Wesley P. Kremer, 
Lewis L. Owens, William P. Patterson; Lieutenant 
Joseph S. Halliday, Captain Fabian Brydolf, and Private 
Wm. H. Milligan. 



AFTER SHILOH 101 

Prisoners: Drummer J. Henry Monroe. 

COMPANY K 

Killed: privates — James Cackly and Henry Young; 
and Captain Richard E. White. 

Died of Wounds: Coi^poral Robert Crawford and 
Private Franklin Ferry [Ferree or Furry?]. 

Wounded : privates — Thomas Quillen, Andrew Part- 
ridge, Jacob B. Burris, Enos R. Clark, Benjamin H. Hut- 
chison, Thomas Townsend, William P. Taylor, Vine G. 
Williams; corporals — Arthur Wilson, Henry McCoy, 
William H. Hall; and sergeants — William H. Arnold 
and John L. Cook. 

Prisoners: privates — Jacob B. Burris, Gilbert E. De- 
long, and Theodore Schreiner [Schnenor?]. 

The total Union loss in the battle of Shiloh was 13,047 
men, of whom 1754 were killed, 8408 wounded, and 2885 
missing. McDowell's brigade, including the Sixth Iowa, 
suffered a loss of 137 killed, 444 wounded, and 70 missing; 
while Sherman's division lost 325 killed, 1277 wounded, 
and 299 missing. The total Confederate loss was 10,694 
men, including 1723 killed, 8012 wounded, and 959 miss- 
ing. 

On Monday evening, April 7, 1862, the recovered Un- 
ion camps were all reoccupied and the labor of restoring 
order out of the general wreck and confusion, incident to 
the battle and 24 hours possession by the enemy, was at 
once commenced. 

The most pressing obligation resting upon those in 
authority, as well as upon each individual soldier, was 
the care of thousands of wounded men, and nearly an 
equal number who were prostrated with fevers, and the 



102 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

burying of the 3500 dead — Union and Confederate — 
still lying on the field of battle, where they fell. 

The scenes of death and destruction so visible from 
every point of view were appalUng to the strongest 
hearts, and beggar description. The loss of human life 
had been great, and thousands had been crippled or mor- 
tally wounded. The field was thickly strewn with more 
than 500 dead mules and horses, broken wagons and ve- 
hicles, artillery carriages and caissons, provisions and 
forage — scattered indiscriminately over the fields, in 
the woods, and through the camps. 

For the purpose of burying the dead, a large detail was 
made from the regiment, on Tuesday morning, and near- 
ly the whole time of the 8th and 9th of April was devot- 
ed to the sad duty of collecting and burying the 46 dead 
bodies of the 6th Iowa. A single trench, more than a 
hundred feet in length, was dug at the point on the battle- 
field where the severe contest was waged on Sunday af- 
ternoon, and in it were laid — wrapped in their blankets 
— more than forty of the fallen heroes, side by side, in 
the order of their companies in, the regimental line. 

Nearly all of the fine mules and large army wagons, 
composing the regimental transportation, were captured 
by the enemy on Sunday, so that the transportation fa- 
cilities for procuring supplies from the river were very 
limited for some time after the battle. That, together 
with the deplorable condition of all wagon roads leading 
to the landing — made so by heavy rains during and af- 
ter the battle — caused all necessary supplies to be 
carried from the river to the camps by the men, a dis- 
tance of two to four miles. For several days nearly 
everything consumed by the regiment was procured in 
that manner, but a few days later pack mules were sub- 



AFTER SHILOH 103 

stituted for the men and in due time a new outfit of mules 
and wagons was furnished. 

A brigade of Kentucky Confederates had occupied the 
camps of McDowell's brigade during their brief stay and 
the bakers in that command had used the regimental 
bakery, turning out several batches of fine soft bread, 
made from the abundance of flour and materials found in 
the commissary. On Monday, when the camp was re- 
covered, an oven full of fine bread, and dough enough 
for another, was secured, the enemy having abandoned 
it in their hasty flight. 

When the rain had ceased the camps were again re- 
stored to a condition of health and comfort; all the tim- 
ber and brush was cleared away from about the camps 
and the parade grounds; defensive earthworks were 
erected covering the front of the army; clothing, and a 
supply of camp and garrison equipage, to make good 
what was lost and abandoned in the battle, was issued. 
All this, together with a plentiful supply of good whole- 
some rations, furnished by the river transportation, did 
much to restore confidence and reestablish discipline 
throughout the army. 

The whole appearance of the position occupied by the 
fiew camps had undergone a complete change as com- 
pared with the obscure and thinly settled neighborhood 
^ound by the army in the middle of March, when it first 
anded and pitched its camps in the Shiloh woods. New 
roads were laid out and corduroyed — leading in every 
iirection; company streets and parade grounds were 
ileared and made smooth for drills, parades, and cere- 
nonies, which converted the virgin wilderness of the 
)attlefield into a beautiful city of camps, with clean 
itreets and good roads. 



104 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The whole dmsion was assembled on the big field near 
the Shiloh Church, on April 15th, where it was reviewed 
by General Sherman, and, on the 17th, he drilled it in 
close order maneuvers, on the same field. 

A period of cold drizzling rains prevailed during the 
latter half of the month of April, greatly disturbing and 
retarding military operations, and causing great dis- 
comfort in the camps. A large number of the men in the 
camps were prostrated with chills and fevers, filling the 
hospitals with the sick — causing much anxiety for the 
strength and efficiency of the army in the approaching 
campaign. 

After one day of sunshine the division was again ma- 
neuvered, on April 23rd, by General Sherman, who was 
accompanied by many distinguished officers in the army. 
On April 26th, every man — sick or well — was required 
to attend at the division drill, the sick being hauled in 
ambulances and army wagons to the drill ground, where 
those who were able to do so were required to walk about 
and those not able to walk were carried on cots to the 
drill field and remained there during the day's exercises. 
One sick man died before the return to camp. 

The incident caused some complaint and much adverse 
criticism, but like all of General Sherman's orders and 
methods for the administration and discipline of an army, 
it proved to be of great benefit to sick and well alike. It 
was one of his primary lessons in an education, that "war 
is hell!". 

Major John M. Corse, who was serving on the staff of 
General John Pope, visited the regiment, April 26th, 
while it was on the field drilling, where he was welcomed 
by officers and men with great enthusiasm, by hearty 
cheering, and many cordial demonstrations of good will- 



AFTER SHILOH 105 

General Halleck appeared and assumed command of 
the combined armies of Grant, Buell, and Pope, and com- 
menced preparing for the advance on Corinth, where it 
was known the Confederate army, commanded by General 
Beauregard, was assembled in large force and strongly 
fortified. 

Sunday, April 27th, was hailed as a bright beautiful 
day, the air fragrant with the perfume of spring flowers, 
and the woods filled with the melody of singing birds, 
causing all nature to contrast sharply with the prepar- 
ations being made for grim-visaged war. The usual Sun- 
day inspection was had, followed by religious services in 
the evening, when Reverend Brown, of Clarke County, 
Iowa, whose two sons were members of Company B, con- 
ducted the exercises — preaching an interesting and in- 
spiring discourse. 

A long and tedious division drill was had on Monday, 
followed with marching orders for the next day, read at 
the evening parade. 



VIII 

CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 

On April 29, 1862, the tents were struck at an early hour 
and the Sixth Iowa, commanded by Captain M. M. Wal- 
den, with McDowell's First Brigade of Sherman's Fifth 
Division, marched out from the Shiloh camps and joined 
in the general advance on Corinth, then being inaugur- 
ated by General Halleck, with his combined armies num- 
bering about 120,000 men. 

The roads along the route of march were still strewn 
with the wrecks of broken down wagons and all sorts of 
camp and garrison equipage, abandoned by the enemy on 
their retreat from the battlefield. A distance of five 
miles was marched and camp was made near the Confed- 
erate hospitals. On April 30th, the command marched 4 
miles and camped at Pea. Ridge, in the vicinity of Mick- 
ey's house. 

The monthly field return made for the regiment on that 
day showed a total of 442 men, including 23 officers and 
419 enlisted men, present for duty, while the total absent 
included 10 officers and 216 enlisted men. The aggre- 
gate strength, present and absent, was 751 men. The 
same return shows the losses for the month were: 53 
killed in battle, 4 died of disease, 9 discharged for dis- 
ability, 5 deserted, 36 missing in battle, 116 severely 
wounded ; aggregate loss, 223 men. 

On May 1st, the division commenced the erection of the 
first line of breastworks extending along its entire front. 
The works were built in accordance with plans and in- 

106 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 107 

structions furnished by the engineer officers of the army. 
The position was designated as Camp No. 2. 

A very distressing accident occurred during the day 
when Colonel McDowell ordered a camp sentinel to fire 
on a man who was crossing over and beyond the guard 
line contrary to orders. The sentinel fired and killed a 
man in another regiment, camped in the line quite a dis- 
tance away. 

Sunday, May 4th, the whole division was moved for- 
ward 6 miles and camped 8 miles north of Corinth, 
where a new line of breastworks was erected, the men 
working until a late hour in the night to complete them. 
A heavy rainstorm prevailed during the day and con- 
tinued through the night, so that everj^thing was 
thoroughly soaked and the whole country flooded the next 
day. Despite the rain and mud, work was renewed on 
the fortifications the next day and progressed rapidly 
until a line of great strength was completed, fully dem- 
onstrating the improved skill and knowledge acquired by 
both men and officers in the new role of conducting mili- 
tary campaigns. On May 7th, the line was again ad- 
vanced a mile to the front and another strong line of 
works erected, which was designated as Camp No. 4. 
On this day the pay rolls were signed. 

The army paymaster appeared, on May 9th, and com- 
menced paying the regiment four months pay. Brisk 
picket skirmishing and artillery firing was kept up dur- 
ing the day all along the lines. The fortified Union lines 
extended from the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, north of 
Corinth around to the Memphis and Charleston Rail- 
road, east of the town — making a continuous fortified 
line of fully ten miles in length. 

On May 11th, the skirmishers advanced, driving in 



108 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the enemy's outposts, while the whole line was ad- 
vanced one mile to Camp No. 5, where the whole front 
was soon covered by a new line of fortifications. On May 
12th, the paymaster completed the pajanent in the regi- 
ment. The weather was clear with extreme heat during 
the day. On May 13th, the lines were moved for^vard 
2 miles, after protracted and at times severe skiraiish 
engagements with the enemy, and Camp No. 6 was estab- 
lished. Here a new line of earthworks of great strength 
and superior skill in construction were completed on the 
14th. The day was marked by heavy fighting all along 
the lines, and the Third Brigade of Sherman's division 
was engaged in a spirited affair on the skirmish line dur- 
ing the evening. 

On May 15th, orders were read reorganizing the Fifth 
Division, as follows : 

In consequence of the reduced strength of the regiments, in- 
stead of four brigades there will be three brigades, of four regi- 
ments each. 

First Brigade, Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith commanding; 
Eighth Missouri Volunteers, Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteers, Fif- 
ty-fourth Ohio Volunteers, Fifty-seventh Ohio Volunteers. 

Second Brigade, Col. John McDowell commanding: Sixth 
Iowa Volunteers, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, Fortieth Illinois 
Volunteers, Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteers, 

Third Brigade, Col. R, P. Buckland commanding: Seventy- 
second Ohio Volunteers, Seventieth Ohio Volunteers, Forty- 
eighth Ohio Volunteers, Fifty-third Ohio Volunteers. 

The order and the reorganization is sigTiificant for the 
reason that it was the first time for the three regiments 
composing McDowell's brigade to be designated as the 
Second Brigade, a title which was retained by them and 
other regiments assigned to it later, to the close of the 
war. 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 109 

General Sherman issued explicit instructions directing 
that details for guards and pickets should be made at 
the evening parade, and assembled for gniard mount at 7 
o'clock the next morning. When in bivouac or camp the 
g-uards and sentinels were to be posted at that hour. 
Officers commanding the guard were to study their ground 
carefully and well, and explain to the sentinels the points 
to be particularly watched and the cover they should take 
if threatened or attacked, as the safety of all depended 
upon their fidelity and watchfulness. 

The camp orders and instructions were observed 
strictly by men and officers about the camps and the sen- 
tinels on duty were specially attentive to the rigid en- 
forcement of all orders. Officers in command of picket 
guards enforced strict discipline during a tour of duty 
at the front, which had demonstrated by the fire-tried 
test — in battle and on the skirmish line — the absolute 
necessity for strict obedience to orders, and the strictest 
fidelity and manly courage in the performance of every 
duty. 

The character of courage as represented by the ''fist 
and skull bullies", who w^ere "spoiling for a fight", 
sadly failed, when the real test in battle was applied. 
Many of the truest and bravest in -the battle lines were 
of tender age, modest demeanor, and almost timid in their 
resentment, with physical force, of personal reflections 
or vulgar insult; but they were fully endowed with the 
highest ideals of patriotism, moral and mental courage. 
The young men and farmer boys composing the rank and 
file of the western regiments were possessed of a pio- 
neer knowledge and a rugged honesty of purpose, by 
which they reckoned the true element of danger in the 
ranks of a fighting army, and quickly adapted themselves 
to the situation, by taking intelligent advantage of every 



110 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

honorable means of defense and for personal protection, 
when under fire. 

On May 16th, the skirmish firing" on the advance picket 
lines was incessant and at times during the day the rattle 
of musketry and the roar of cannon rose to the dignity of 
a battle. Few casualties occurred because those engaged 
on either side were posted behind substantial rifle-pits. 

At 3 p. m., May 17th, General Morgan L. Smith, with 
the First Brigade, commenced the movement on the 
enemy that resulted in the capture of the position at the 
Russell house, on the main road leading into Corinth. 
The 8th Missouri and 55th Illinois deployed as skirmish- 
ers and led the advance ; the 54th and 57th Ohio formed 
in line of battle as a reserve supporting them; the rest of 
the division formed in front of the camps in line of battle 
under arms, and all the field batteries were posted at 
commanding positions. The battle opened with brisk 
musketry firing, whereupon the enemy's pickets feU 
back to their reserves at the Russell house where they 
made an obstinate resistance with musketrj^ and artillery. 
The Union guns opened on the buildings, where the enemy 
had taken shelter, with great fury and the whole force 
moved forward in splendid array in a storm of shot and 
shell, and amid the shouts and cheers of the men. After 
a gallant defense of the position, the enemy retreated 
when full possession of the Russell house and all the 
ground and works occupied by the enemy for a long dis- 
tance to the right and left of the position was secured. 

It was the most spirited action had by the right wing 
of the army during the advance movement. Wliile none 
of the troops participated in the firing, except the two 
regiments deployed as skirmishers, the rest of the divis- 
ion was under arms and ready to enter the fight at any 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 111 

moment when the engagement took on the character of a 
serious battle. To the soldier in the ranks of the re~ 
serve lines the dispositions and movements made had all 
the appearance of a general battle, and his nerve was 
tested quite as much, if not more, than that of those go- 
ing forward in the front lines. The Eussell house was 
known to be the last defensive position, on the Corinth 
road, outside of the main fortifications encircling the city, 
so the Union lines were then up against the main works 
of the enemy, which were supposed to be veiy formid- 
able. 

The loss in the two regiments engaged was less than 
that of the Confederates, who left 13 of their dead on the 
field — among them, 1 Captain and 2 Lieutenants. Cap- 
tain Walden having reported sick and returned to Pitts- 
burg Landing, Captain Henry Saunders of Company E 
assumed command of the regiment. 

For the next three days the troops occupied the same 
position, while a brisk picket and skirmish fire was kept 
up along the entire front. An occasional refreshing 
shower of rain, followed by intense heat during the day 
and a chilling atmosphere at night, caused many men to 
be prostrated with camp fevers. 

The whole division moved forward to the Russell house 
position, on May 21st, and built a new line of works. 
The day's operations were marked by heavy and pro- 
tracted cannonading on the left flank of the army. 

Quite a large number of recruits joined the regiment, 
on May 22nd, among whom were the Payton brothers 
[John, Joseph, and William] assigned to Company D, 
and the three Kellogg [David, Isaac, and William] broth- 
ers assigned to Company A — all from Appanoose Coun- 
ty, Iowa. The three Paytons served through the war 



112 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and returned to their homes in Iowa, while the three Kel- 
loggs lost their lives in the service. 

Camp No. 7, at the Russell house, was occupied during 
the next six days, the troops alternating in doing picket 
guard duty and working on the fortifications. The line 
of works erected was of unusual strength — great pains 
having been taken in its construction. Heavy skirmish 
firing continued daily along the picket lines, and, on sev- 
eral occasions, demonstrations made at night caused 
great anxiety. An impression was general throughout 
the army that an assault would be made on the enemy's 
fortified position, and every demonstration made, where 
heavy musketry and artillery firing occurred, was taken to 
be the commencement of the assault. 

May 27th was specially marked as being the day on 
which Major John M. Corse returned and took command 
of the regiment as Lieutenant-Colonel — Markoe Cum- 
mins having been discharged by order of a military com- 
mission. 

On May 28th, the troops occupying the front line ad- 
vanced, driving the enemy 's outposts into their main line 
of fortifications. The firing was sharp and at short 
range, many of the enemy's cannon shot striking in camp 
and others passing far overhead and into the woods at 
the rear. The enemy's drums and bugles sounding the 
calls during the evening were heard almost as distinctly 
as those in the Union camps. 

On the 29th, the whole division occupied the line se- 
cured the evening before and at once commenced fortify- 
ing it with great energy. This position was designated 
as Camp No. 8. A large force of men was engaged all 
night working on the new line of breastworks and at day- 
light the next morning the whole front of the division 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 113 

was again covered with a splendid line of earthworks for 
infantry. 

At an early hour in the morning loud explosions were 
heard within the enemy's lines, which were rightly in- 
terpreted to be magazines and anmaunition depots ex- 
ploded by the enemy preparatoiy to evacuating the po- 
sition. The division pickets on the right, at the Mobile 
and Ohio Railroad, discovered at daylight that the en- 
emy's resistance was feeble and at once voluntarily com- 
menced to advance on the main fortifications. At 6 a. 
m., they crossed over the main works without serious op- 
position, and continued the march to the city of Corinth, 
3 miles distant, where they arrived at 8 a. m. They were 
follo^ved later by the whole division. The abandoned 
3amps of the enemy were strewn with flour and provis- 
ions of eveiy kind, indicating a hasty and demoralized 
retreat. 

All of the Union forces were soon assembled inside of 
the great fortified position. In the town itself many 
[louses were still burning and the ruins of warehouses 
md buildings containing Confederate stores were still 
smouldering when the troops entered. Cannon balls, 
shells and shot, sugar, molasses, beans, rice, flour, meal, 
md much other property, which the enemy had failed to 
take away or destroy, were appropriated by the men, in 
rind and quantity as they desired or were able to carry 
iway. The regiment, together with all of General Sher- 
uan's division, returned in the cool of the evening to 
;heir camps of the night before, within the Union lines. 

General Sherman summed up the part borne by his 
command in accomplishing the great victory, as follows : 

My division has constructed seven distinct intrenched camps 
inee leaving Shiloh. . . . Our intrenchments here and at 



114 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Russell's, each Luilt substantially in one night, are stronger 
works of art than the much-boasted forts of the enemy at Corinth. 
I must also in justice to my men remark their improvement on 
the march, the absence of that straggling which is too common 
in the volunteer service, and, still more their improved charac- 
ter on picket and as skirmishers. Our line of march has been 
along a strongly-marked ridge, followed by the Purdy and 
Corinth road, and ever since leaving the ''Locusts" our pickets 
have been fighting — hardly an hour night or day for two weeks s 
without the exchange of hostile shots; but we have steadily and ; 
surely gained ground, slowly to be sure, but with that steady \ 
certainty that presaged the inevitable result. 

The Sixth Iowa was conspicuous and bore its full pro- 
portion of the duty and hardships on the campaign. On :, 
guard and in all the advances made, it was either in the ; 
front line or in the supporting command ; it worked at I 
building fortifications, night and day; it made "cordu- ■ 
roy" on old roads and constructed new wagon roads •:, 
through the heavy forest, and across streams and swamps i 
— requiring skill and immense labor ; and it cleared off f 
and policed the numerous camping grounds, occupied I 
during the advance — insuring the health and comfort I 
of the men. 

General Halleck was severely criticised by the press 
and public throughout the northern States for the man- 
ner of conducting the advance on Corinth. It was ridi- 
culed as the ''pick and shovel" campaign, but in the light i 
of all the facts and the experience of subsequent cam- 
paigns, the siege and capture of Corinth mil ever be , 
reckoned as one of the great Union victories of the war. , 
General Grant, at the time, was being just as severely i 
criticised for not having fortified the position at Pitts- 
burg Landing before the battle of Shiloh and during all 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 115 

the operations in front of Corinth he was under a cloud 
of disfavor that threatened to destroy his usefulness in 
the army. 

When Corinth fell, General Halleck had an effective 
amiy of about 110,000 men present for duty and was 
supported in the command by such eminent officers as 
Grant, Buell, Thomas, Pope, Rosecrans, Sherman, Logan, 
and a hundred other subordinate commanders, who be- 
come greatly distinguished during the war. 

General Beauregard had collected an effective army of 
75,402 men for the defense of Corinth and was supported 
in the command by such able commanders as Bragg, Polk, 
Hardee, Van Dorn, Price and half a hundred more distin- 
guished officers. The fortifications were skillfully laid 
out and constructed with great strength, guarding every 
avenue of approach, so that the evacuation of Corinth, 
at the time and in the manner that it was brought about, 
was a substantial and fruitful victory for the Union 
army. 

The Sixth Iowa had now seen service in battle and skir- 
mish, commanded by and under the personal direction of 
General "William T. SheiTaan — "Old Tecumseh"; Gen- 
eral U. S. Grant — ''Unconditional Surrender"; General 
George H. Thomas — '*Pap Thomas", and General John 
A. Logan — ''Black Jack", receiving, together mth the 
other regiments composing the brigade, the favorable 
commendation of these eminent soldiers. 

On May 31st, a regular camp was laid out on favorable 
ground along the last line of works built by the division 
and the regiment established in nice clean quarters. As 
much care was taken in the selection and preparation of 
the camp as if the command was expected to remain in 
the position for the remainder of the summer. 



116 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The return for the month showed a gain by 16 recruits 
joined, and a loss of 9 died, 6 deserted, 3 discharged, 1 
transferred, total 19 men. Captain John Williams, ab- 
sent, wounded since Shiloh, was announced in orders on 
parade as being promoted to Major, to date from May 
21st, and First-Lieutenant Alexander J. Miller promoted 
to Captain of Company G, to date from May 22, 1862. 

On Sunday, June 1, 1862, it rained all day. On Mon- 
day morning marching orders were received, and, at 3 p. 
m., camp was struck and the entire division marched out 
on the Corinth road. It passed through the fortifica- 
tions and the camp grounds of the enemy, and also the 
town, and went into camp one mile west, at dark, after 
marching 4 miles. It marched 5 miles the next day and 
camped during a regular downpour of rain. The regi- 
ment remained idle in camp for the next two days and 
then marched west, following along the line of the Mem- 
phis and Charleston Kailroad for 5 miles and camped 
near Chewalla. 

The enemy had prematurely burned the railroad bridge 
over Cypress Creek, on the night of the evacuation, and 
thereby prevented the escape of seven locomotives and 
their trains loaded with army stores. The engines, cars, 
and stores had been partly destroyed by fire and the 
burned mass and wreck encumbered the railroad track 
for a mile. The work of clearing the track and preserv- 
ing the damaged property progressed day and night, be- 
ing done by heavy details made from the command, until 
the division was ordered farther west along the line of 
the railroad. 

General Sherman issued his orders and had them read 
to each regiment, and detachment in his command, lay- 
ing down such perfect rules and instructions for the ad- 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 117 

ministration and government of the command, that they 
are here inserted almost in their entirety because they 
explain the good order and high state of discipline main- 
tained in the division. He said : 

The enemy's army has fled away and there is no seeming 
danger present ; but this may not be the real truth, and we must 
always act on the supposition that the enemy will do his worst, 
and that he will take advantage of every chance we give him to 
annoy us and destroy us and our detachments on the very first 
opportunity. Therefore very general attention is again called 
to the great importance of a proper system of caution and guard 
to be observed at all times, whether by the whole division, by 
detached brigades, regiments, or smaller parties. 

I. During all marches advance guards should be out with 
flanl?:ers; when there is the most remote danger of an enemy, 
ranks must be kept [closed] and straggling absolutely prevent- 
ed. Marches should be made as steady as possible, and the men 
be impressed with the fact that by falling out they only make 
matters worse to catch up. By keeping a steady pace a weak or 
sick soldier will experience far less fatigue than if he rests for a 
while and follows behind. Frequent rests will always be made 
by the general in command or by brigadiers; but no subordi- 
nate officer must lengthen the column by halts for any cause. 
If a wagon or gun stalls or any obstruction offers, details must 
be made promptly to remove by hand the obstruction, or the in- 
fantry must pass around, and leave the obstruction to be re- 
moved by the rear guard. 

II. As soon as a halt is made, the general, by himself or 
some of his staff, will indicate to brigadiers their points and 
whether the camp should be in line or column in mass. Briga- 
diers will in like manner indicate to colonels the points for their 
regiments. If accident give one regiment good ground and 
others bad, colonels must not change on that or any account, for 
order and system alone give strength to an army, and must pre- 
vail over mere personal comfort and choice. 



118 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

III. The moment the ground for a halt or camp is selected 
colonels of regiments or commanders of detachments will at once 
see his guard established ; his arms stacked, or arranged under 
shelter if need be. . . . The company daily detailed for 
pickets or guard will stand fast under arms, and be conducted 
to the brigade headquarters, and at once established under the 
direction of the brigade officer of the day, who in his turn will 
be governed by the order of the general officer of the day. This 
grand guard must be entirely independent of the interior regi- 
mental guard, and is intended to cover the whole camp against 
the enemy from any and every quarter. Its importance cannot 
be overestimated, and officers and soldiers must be made to feel 
that in a good grand guard the safety and comfort of all de- 
pends. If this guard be well posted, instructed, and vigilant, 
every man can sleep and rest well; but no soldier can have se- 
curity in his camp or bed in an enemy 's country, such as we now 
occupy, if he feels that the sentinels are sitting down, careless, 
or asleep. 

IV. The general will personally direct the posting in camp 
of the artillery and cavalry, which must have the ground adapt- 
ed to their service. They must guard their own camps and 
horses, but will not be called on for working details or grand 
guard, but on halting for camp the chief of cavalry will report 
in person for instructions as to the cavalry pickets. Upon their 
intelligence and vigilance much depends. They are not posted 
to fight, but for watching the approaches of an enemy at suffi- 
cient distance out to give early warning of danger. Generally 
they will keep under cover themselves at points where they have 
a long field, or road, or path ahead. The picket guard must 
always keep out vedettes, who must be either in the saddle or 
standing to horse. They must never allow themselves to be sur- 
prised, night or day. The officer of picket must always, before 
resting, make a circuit about his station, so as to be well in- 
formed of all approaches, as well as roads and paths, leading 
back to camp, and must report to headquarters or nearest camp 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 119 

all suspicious acts or signs of an enemy. They must be careful, 
however, to give no unnecessary alarm, as quiet and rest are 
essential to the health and usefulness of an army. 

V. The moment the halt or camp is indicated to a battery of 
artillery the commander will come into battery, unlimber, guns 
pointed toward the enemy, horses unbridled or unharnessed as 
the case may require, guards posted, and tarpaulins spread, the 
water for horses and men looked to, and forage provided. 
Every opportunity at a halt during a march should be taken ad- 
vantage of to cut grass, wheat, or oats, and extraordinary care 
taken of the horses, on which everything depends. 

The commander should at once study his ground, mark well 
the field of fire, and improve it by cutting away limbs and bushes 
or moving logs. There is no branch of service that calls for 
harder work and keener intelligence than the artillery, and no 
excuse will ever be received for want of a proper degree of fore- 
sight in providing for all necessities and preparation at all times 
for battle. 

VI. But the grand guard is the most important feature of 
an army in the field. The instructions laid down in the Army 
Regulations are minute, and must be carefully studied by all 
officers and explained to the men. . . . Every sentinel must 
know that at least he should be well armed and wide awake, and 
the officers should not give the men an opportunity to plead ignor- 
ance. Each sentinel should have plain instructions when posted 
what he should do, especially the points he is to watch, the man- 
ner of the challenging at night, and the length of his turn of 
duty. Sergeants and corporals must be active, and must hasten 
to the sentinel when he calls, for if threatened no sentinel should 
leave his post ; but the officer commanding the guard should 
alone judge when a sentinel is too much exposed. Sentinels 
must be warned against spies, and citizens must not pass within 
or without our lines without special authority. Better pro- 
hibit all citizens from traveling than to allow an enemy to gather 
information by their spies, who will resort to all manner of cun- 



120 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

King to penetrate our camps to judge of our strength and of our 
plans. When citizens approach our lines they should be politely 
but firmly told they must go home and stay there. If they have 
any business or information for headquarters, they should be 
passed there under guard. 

VII. As a rule all private property of citizens must be re- 
spected, but if forage or feed be needed, and the parties are un- 
willing to sell at fair prices, the division or brigade quarter-mas- 
ters and commissaries may take and account for as though pur- . 
chased. They will give the owner a receipt for the amount 
taken, specifying on the face of it that the claim cannot be 
transferred, and payment will be made at the convenience of 
the Government on proof of loyalty. 

These plain and practical instructions were thoroughly 
familiarized and diligently observed by officers and men, 
thereby establishing order, system and discipline, cor- ; 
rect methods, and habits that enabled them to perform 
such prodigious feats of campaigning and battling in 
the years following. 

The Confederate army had escaped effectually and was 
assembled at and in the vicinity of Tupelo, on the line of 
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, 40 or 50 miles south of 
Corinth. 

Colonel William Preston Johnston, son of General Al- 
bert Sidney Johnston, serving as an Aide-de-Camp on the 
official staff of the Confederate President, made a 
thorough and critical inspection of the Confederate 
forces in the Western Department soon after the evacu- 
ation and, on July 15, 1862, reported to President Davis 
the result of his investigations in an exhaustive written 
report, which is probably the best authentic showing on 
the Confederate situation and strength of the army at 
that time. He said that the Confederate army that 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 121 

marclied from Corinth to Shiloh, April 3rd, was an ag- 
gregate force of 59,774 and the total effective for battle 
38,773. After the battle the aggregate strength was 
64,500, with an effective total of 32,212. The killed, 
wounded, and missing at Shiloh totaled 10,699 men. The 
aggregate just before the evacuation of Corinth was 
112,092 with a total effective for duty of 52,706. On ar- 
rival at Tupelo, aggregate 94,784, with a total effective 
for duty 45,365. 

Inadequate provision in the hospitals caused the sick 
and absent in their army, numbering 49,590, to be dis- 
tributed on plantations in Mississippi. Insubordination 
was rife in their army on account of the reorganization 
of regiments and detachments under the conscript act 
and the arbitrary methods adopted for prolonging the 
the term of service of the one year men. Much of the 
dissatisfaction, however, was removed by arranging the 
regiments and batteries in brigades and divisions by 
States, which resulted in General Polk's corps being en- 
tirely of Tennessee troops. 

All of the Confederate commanders had concurred in 
the evacuation of Corinth on account of the unhealthy 
condition of the army, thousands being prostrated with 
obstinate types of diarrhoea and typhoid fever. ''No 
sound men were left" in the army. General Beauregard 
retired from the immediate command of the army and 
the duties were assumed by General Bragg. 

General Halleck was called to Washington, General 
Pope assigned to duty in the Army of the Potomac and 
the Union army assembled at Corinth was scattered to 
the four winds — General Buell with the Army of the 
Ohio, returned to middle Tennessee; General Pope's 
Army of the Mississippi, General Rosecrans command- 



f 



122 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ing, remained at Corinth in observation of the enemy at 
Tupelo ; and the Amiy of the Tennessee was distributed 
in West Tennessee, with General Grant restored to its 
command and the command of the Department of West 
Tennessee, with headquarters at Jackson. 

On June 11th, the march was renewed at 2 p. m., and 
the whole division, after going 11 miles, camped for the 
night on the Hatchie River, one mile from Pocahontas. 
June 12th, the troops marched 8 miles and camped in the 
valley of a small stream, where an abundance of ripe 
blackberries were found; marched 8 miles the next day 
and camped in a dreary woods ; and on the 14th, reached 
La Grange, Tennessee, 2 miles west of Grand Junction, 
the crossing of the Memphis and Charleston, and the Mis- 
sissippi Central railroads. The Sixth Iowa occupied as 
their camp the pleasant grounds and campus of the Fe- 
male Seminary, situated in La Grange, a pretty little 
town possessed of much wealth and culture, whose peo- 
ple were intensely loyal to the southern cause. 

On Sunday, June 15th, the regiment appeared on the 
college grounds in its best ''bib and tucker" and was in- 
spected while the band discoursed sweet music to the de- 
light of the lady students and many citizens of the town, 
who were attracted by the band music. During the af- 
ternoon, the regimental Chaplain ventured to hold relig- 
ious services, in the shade of the trees on the school 
grounds. 

The shoddy clothing issued to the men after Shiloh had 
begun to show the ''wear and tear" of the campaign and 
many of the men in the ranks were beginning to look 
rather shabby in their personal makeup. A refreshing 
rain laid the dust and cooled the intensive heat, to the 
gratification and comfort of all. Battalion drills, in the 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 123 

forenoon and afternoon each day, were instituted and 
vigorously prosecuted by Colonel Corse, who had entered 
heartily and enthusiastically into the work of improving 
the regiment in every line of duty. The morning guard 
mounts and evening parades, held in the school grounds, 
became the attractive feature of the camp, while the 
troops remained in the town. 

The Eegimental Silver Band, reorganized after Shiloh, 
discoursed music of a high order of excellence, at the 
guard mounts, parades, and, at evening concerts, had at 
the regimental headquarters. Many of the citizens in 
the town, especially ladies, attended the parades and con- 
certs and were pleasantly entertained. The band had 
become very attractive — not only in the regiment, but 
throughout the division — under the skillful direction 
of its leader, Eichard Maddem. 

The whole command had been feasting on the abund- 
ance of berries and other small fruits during the march, 
until the health of the troops was excellent and every- 
body in buoyant spirits. 

On June 21st, the troops were all assembled in the fore- 
noon and passed in review before Governor Saunders, of 
Nebraska. In the afternoon they marched 10 miles to 
Moscow, and on the next day marched 9 miles farther 
west to LaFayette, a station on the railroad. Here the 
command remained in camp — the regiment being drilled 
each day under a burning sun — until the 26th, when it 
returned to Moscow. The day was intensely hot which 
caused much suffering and great prostration. On the 
28th, a copious rain prevailed during the day causing 
great relief to all. On Sunday, June 29th, the regiment 
was regularly inspected ; on Monday, the last day of the 
month, the companies were mustered for pay in the fore- 



124 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY I 

noon and in the afternoon marched 8 miles south from 
the railroad and camped for the night. 

The gain for the month was 6 recruits and the loss 37, 
thus : 3 died of wounds, 3 died of disease, 19 discharged 
for disability, 10 dropped from the rolls, 1 promoted — 
Corporal Joseph K. Morey, Company D, to First-Lieu- 
tenant, 18th Iowa Infantry Volunteers — 1 transferred, 
total 37. There were present with the command 24 offi- 
cers and 556 men, of whom 22 officers and 480 men were 
fit for duty. 

July 1, 1862, the command, a portion of General Sher- 
man's division commanded by him in person, continued 
the march south 12 miles and camped on the north side 
of Coldwater River, 5 miles north of Holley Springs, 
Mississippi. On the 2nd, the command remained in 
camp and Colonel Corse drilled the regiment, in battal- 
ion drill, all day. On July 3rd, the whole command 
marched to Holley Springs in the morning and returned 
to the camp at Coldwater in the evening, having trav- 
eled 10 miles. Holley Springs was the prettiest little 
city seen in the South, since the advent of the campaign- 
ing. 

Colonel Corse celebrated the Fourth of July by exer- 
cising the regiment in battalion drill during the entire 
day, and patriotic speeches were delivered in the camp 
during the evening by sergeants J. T. Place and Michael 
Combs of Company D. On the 5th, five companies of the 
regiment went on a scout at 2 :30 a. m., going 5 miles to 
Chewalla Creek and returning to the camp in the fore- 
noon. On July 6th, at 2 p. m., the whole command start- 
ed back to Moscow in great haste, marched 10 miles and 
camped for the night; and, on the 7th, marched the re- 
maining 15 miles to Moscow, arriving at 9 a. m. Ex- 



CORINTH AND MEMPHIS 125 

treme heat caused many prostrations and a largely in- 
creased sick report. 

July llth, it rained in the forenoon — ''blessed rain". 
The whole division was engaged in small expeditions to 
the neighboring towns and the country on either side of 
the railroad. On the 13th, the regiment started at 3 a. 
m., marched to La Fayette, and returned to Moscow in 
the evening, having traveled 18 miles. On the 14th, it 
marched north 15 miles and camped 2 miles from Rising 
Sun. At 6 p. m. the next day, the regiment marched 
back towards La Fayette 8 miles, and on the 16th, re- 
turned to La Fayette. It rained all night and all the next 
forenoon. At this time Captain Brydolf joined his com- 
pany — minus his right arm. On the 18th, the troops 
marched 10 miles towards Memphis and camped one mile 
from Collierville, while on the next day they marched 11 
miles, passing through Collier\ille and Germantown, and 
camped at White's Station. There was a glorious rain 
at night. 

July 20th, the regiment remained in camp all day and 
on Monday, July 21st, started at 4 a. m., and arrived in 
the city of Memphis, Tennessee, at 2 p. m., after march- 
ing 10 miles. The day was intensely hot and caused a 
large number of the men to fall out of ranks, overcome 
by the burning sun. McDowell's brigade camped in Old 
Fort Pickering on the high Chickasaw Bluff at the lower 
edge of the city. General Lew Wallace, at the head of 
his division, had marched from Corinth via Bethel, Boli- 
var, La Grange, and on to Memphis, arriving a month in 
advance of generals Sherman and Hurlbut with their di- 
visions. The city of Memphis had surrendered to the 
Union forces, on June 6tli, when the gunboats destroyed 
the Confederate fleet on the Mississippi River. 



126 



SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



The expedition to Holley Springs resulted in driving'' 
the enemy south of the Tallahatchie River, where General 
John C. Breckinridge was posted at Oxford, with his re- 
serve corps of Beauregard's army. There had been no 
engagements or skirmishes of any consequence with the 
enemy during the march from Corinth to Memphis. The 
troops were almost destitute of clothing on their arrival 
in the city and it would have been difficult to distinguish 
some of the regiments from Confederate commands. 



:.l 



M 



IX 

CAMP AT MEMPHIS 

! The magnificent army commanded by Major-General 
I Henry W. Halleck, from Shiloh to Corinth, had been 
scattered throughout the Central and Western depart- 
ments. General Halleck had been assigned by the Presi- 
dent to the command of the armies of the United States, 
with headquarters at Washington City; Major-General 
John Pope had been assigned to the command of the 
Army of Virginia, on the Potomac; Major-General D. C. 
BueU had returned with his army to Middle Tennessee ; 
General William S. E-osecrans had been put in command 
of the forces at Corinth ; General U. S. Grant had been as- 
signed to coixmiand the Army of the Tennessee and the 
Department of West Tennessee with headquarters at 
Jackson ; and General W. T. Sherman had been placed in 
command at Memphis, vnth his own and General S. A. 
Hurlbut's division of the Army of the Tennessee, com- 
prising 15,975 men and 66 pieces of field artillery. 

The operations in the Western Department, from Jan- 
uary to July, had resulted in driving the enemy from 
Missouri, the north half of Arkansas, and all of Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee, so that the Union forces were hold- 
ing a line, from western Arkansas east to Cumberland 
Gap, a distance of six hundred miles and embracing a 
strip of territory from a 150 to 250 miles wide, the en- 
tire distance. 

The Confederate armies, commanded by General Brax- 
ton Bragg since the evacuation of Corinth, were concen- 

127 



i 



128 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



trated and encamped about Tupelo, Mississippi, where 
they were being largely increased by an arbitrary and 
rigidly enforced conscription of every able bodied man 
in the southern States. Strong outposts of the enemy's 
cavalry were maintained at Ripley, Holley Springs, Ox- 
ford, and Panola, Mississippi, g-uarding and scouting to- 
wards Corinth, Jackson, and Memphis, and the estab- 
lished line along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. I' 

It was boldly asserted and proclaimed by the Confed- ' 
erates that they would inaugurate offensive campaigns 
during the fall months and reoccupy Arkansas, Missouri, 
Tennessee, and Kentucky. If successful in that, they 
would invade the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, ' 
while the Union cause would be further distracted by the 
invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania by the Confed- 
erate armies under General Lee, and an extended Indian i 
insurrection along the western frontier. Such was sub- 
stantially the military situation when the regiment took 1 
up its quarters, along with the rest of McDowell's bri- 
gade, in Old Fort Pickering on the Chickasaw Bluff on 
the south edge of the city, where it was understood the 
camp would be maintained for an indefinite period. 

On July 24th, new clothing was issued and every man 
fitted out in a new and complete uniform of good style 
and splendid quality of material. The open river com- 
munication furnished an abundance of army supplies of 
every description, so that all the troops were soon sup- 
plied mth tents, clothing, rations, and everything needed 
for their convenience and comfort — better than they had 
ever had, since entering the service. The mail was re- 
ceived daily and the city papers were on sale in the camps 
— morning and evening — furnishing the news from 
every part of the country. 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 129 

On July 31st, the regiment went on duty as provost 
guard in the city, the companies being posted in separ- 
ated localities, throughout the city. The duty performed 
was mostly of the character of police duty in cities and 
included the guarding of government warehouses, mili- 
tary prisons and headquarters, railroad depots, wharf- 
boats and the levee, the navy yard, and safe-guarding 
private residences. The tour of duty was for one week, 
and on August 7th, the regiment was relieved by the 72nd 
Ohio. On August 8th, the regiment received two months 
pay from the United States paymaster. 

The field return, made on the last day of July to the 
army headquarters, showed the aggregate strength of the 
regiment to be 35 officers and 631 men, of whom 24 officers 
and 482 men were present for active duty. 

Of those who were absent on account of wounds, 56 
men had returned to duty, since the battle of Shiloh. The 
losses for the month of July were as follows: 2 died of 
wounds, 7 died of disease, 4 dropped from the rolls, 15 
discharged for disability;' total, 28 men. 

There had been many changes made in the roster of the 
commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the regi- 
ment since the beginning of the year, viz : 

Field and Staff: Colonel, John Adair McDowell, com- 
manding the brigade ; Lientenant-Colonel, John M. Corse, 
commanding the regiment; Major, John Williams, ab- 
sent, wounded since Shiloh ; Adjutant, Thomas J. Ennis ; 
Quartermaster, James Brunaugh; Doctors, Albert T. 
Shaw and John E. Lake ; Chaplain, John Ufford, on duty 
with the regiment. 

Company officers : Company A — Captain Willard H. 
Harland, on duty as Acting Assistant Adjutant-General 
at brigade headquarters; Lieutenants, Charles T. Gold- 



130 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ing and George W. Holmes. Company B — Captain, E. 
B. Woodward, on duty at the headquarters of the post 
commander in the city ; Lieutenants, Eugene E. Edwards 
and David J. McCoy. Company C — Captain, Abraham 
B. Harris ; Lieutenants, Eobert Allison and Hezekiah C. 
Clock. Company D — Captain, Madison M. Walden ; 
Lieutenants, John L. Bashore and Thomas J. Elrick. 
Company E — Captain, Henry Saunders ; Lieutenants, 
Leander C. Allison and John H. Orman — Orman absent, 
wounded since Shiloh. Company F — Captain, Calvin 
Minton; Lieutenants, John T. Grimes and Abraham C. 
Earick. Company G — Captain, Alexander J. Miller ; 
Lieutenants, James J. Jordan and Joseph M. Douglas. 
Company H — Captain, Washington Galland, a prisoner 
in the hands of the enemy since Shiloh; Lieutenants, 
WilHam H. Clune and George R. Nunn. Company I — 
Captain, Fabian Brydolf; First-Lieutenant, Joseph S. 
Halliday — absent, wounded since Shiloh; Second-Lieu- 
tenant, Samuel B. Philips. Company K — Captain, By- 
ron K. Cowles ; Second-Lieutenant, John H. Isett. There 
were necessarily many changes made in the regimental 
and company non-commissioned staffs, and in some in- 
stances the promotions were ill advised and did an in- 
justice to several deserving soldiers. 

The practical good sense and foresight of General 
Sherman prompted him to issue orders at White's Sta- 
tion, just before entering the city with his command, say- 
ing, ''As soon as our camp is established as large an 
amount of liberty will be given to all good soldiers as is 
consistent with their duty, and ample opportunity afford- 
ed them to see the city mth ' all its sights ' ' '. During the 
first weeks in the city the opportunities for attending en- 
tertainments and engaging in all kinds of dissipation 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 131 

were so great that the good name of the regiment was put 
n jeopardy, and soon caused the most stringent regnila- 
ions to be adopted, governing the privileges for visiting 
n the city. 

During the week, the regiment was on duty in the city 
IS provost guard, it was divided into small detachments 
md stationed in different parts of the city, which caused 
I general relaxing of the strict discipline acquired while 
;ampaigning through the countr^^ It brought the men 
n direct contact with all the prevailing evils in the city 
md was the means of furnishing the knowledge that could 
mly be acquired by such a tour of duty. It was demoral- 
zing to such a degree that much insubordination pre- 
;^ailed for a time in the command. Strict orders with 
ievere penalties were adopted to correct the growing 
wils, and it was no uncommon occurrence to see several 
nen sei^ving a tour of sentence on 'Svooden horses" at 
;he guard house. 

On August 14th, in consequence of the prevailing evils, 
jeneral Sherman issued his general orders with specific 
md stringent regulations governing the privilege grant- 
ed to officers and enlisted men to %dsit the city, as follows : 

In consequence of the abuse of the privilege, passes given to 
)fficers and soldiers are hereby limited to the time between guard 
nounting in the morning and tattoo at night. 

When an officer or soldier wishes to remain absent from his 
•egiment and staj^ in the city overnight he must obtain from his 
iommanding officers and his brigadier a special leave of absence, 
ipecifving the reason of his visit to the city. 

All officers and soldiers found by the provost guard in the 
iity without passes at any time, or after 10 o 'clock at night with- 
)ut special leave from their brigadiers, will be arrested and con- 
ined for the night and sent in the morning to the guard of 



132 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Colonel McDowell's brigade — soldiers to work on the fortifi- 
cations one week, officers to be confined to their tents in arrest. 
. . . It is hereby made the duty of the brigade commander 
[Col. McDowell] of the Second Brigade, Fifth Division, to or- 
ganize his guard so as to compel all prisoners confined under 
this order .... to labor nine hours each day on the forti- 
fications. . . . Prisoners who will not work are not entitled 
to rations, and must be put on short diet. . . . 

The regiment of infantry on duty as provost guard in the 
city and the cavalry detailed for the same purpose are hereby 
declared to be on guard duty the time of their detail, and are 
subject to the conditions of the forty-fifth Article of War. 

The strict and literal enforcement of the orders caused 
many frolicsome young soldiers to pile up dirt on the 
fortifications at Fort Pickering for nine long hours each 
day for a week. It was no joke, once was enough. 

Company and battalion drills were inaugurated for 
forenoon and afternoon with regimental and brigade 
mounts daily, camp policing every morning, and regi- 
mental parades each evening. These, with the large de- 
tails, made daily to work on the fortifications, did much 
to occupy the whole time of the men and thereby dimin- 
ished the opportunity for visiting the city. 

On August 16th, pursuant to general orders from the 
War Department for the discharge of all regimental 
bands, members of the band were mustered out and hon- 
orably discharged from the service, as follows: Richard 
Maddern, leader ; Sigismond I. Gates, Adelbert Hawkins, 
Aaron S. Johnson, William Maddern, bugler, William 
Matthews, Morris Peck, Edward Pipe, George Robertson, 
Samuel R. Sample, Augustus Santo, and Julius C 
Wright. The band had attained great proficiency under 
the direction of its skilled leader, and was recognized 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 133 

throughout the division as one of the very best musical 
organizations in the army. The music furnished by it 
at all ceremonies and at the concerts given daily at head- 
quarters was a source of great pleasure and heartily en- 
joyed by all. Nearly all of the members were first class 
musicians, who took great pride in the organization and 
its reputation as musicians and soldiers. It caused sin- 
cere regret, on the part of every soldier in the regiment, 
when the band was disbanded. 

The enlisted men detailed as musicians in the band 
were ordered back to their companies as follows : David 
Silversmith, Moses T. Johnson, Henry Fulton, and Sam- 
uel M. Titus. Levi A. Best and John H. Glenn had died 
during the winter, while in Missouri; Charles Hirt, Al- 
pheus W. Kelley and George W. Titus had been dis- 
charged for disability; Joseph [James?] M. Skelly had 
been transferred to the 42nd Illinois, and John B. Thomp- 
son had been a prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy, 
since Shiloh. 

On August 23rd, General Sherman reviewed his whole 
division, the ceremony being held on the drill grounds in 
front of Fort Pickering, where the maneuver was made 
with great display of military pomp and soldierly bear- 
ing. Seven thousand men marching with military pre- 
cision in solid columns with bands playing and colors 
waving presented a scene of magnificent military splen- 
dor which was grandly inspiring. 

General Bragg 's movement to Chattanooga and Middle 
Tennessee with the bulk of the Corinth army was a sure 
indication that the forces at Memphis would not be dis- 
turbed for some time, so that the duties settled down to 
a daily routine of drills, fatigue duty, ceremonies, and 
^uard duty. 



134 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Traffic on the river had assumed great proportions 
and business in the city had been resumed in nearly all 
branches of trade. Civil laws governed in all matters 
pertaining to citizens and their business — when not 
furnishing aid and comfort to the enemy. United States 
greenbacks and Tennessee scrip constituted the currency 
in use, gold and silver being a very scarce commodity as 
a circulating medium in the city. All Tennessee scrip 
passed current and was interchangeable for greenbacks 
at par. 

The comfortable means of travel by steamer on the 
river afforded pleasant and cheap transportation for 
those desiring to visit their friends and relatives in the 
army. The wives of many of the officers in the regiment 
availed themselves of the liberal rules and visited with 
their husbands in the camps. The father, mother, and 
sister of Colonel Corse were among the visitors at head- 
quarters, and another pleasant party was the wives of 
Captain Saunders, Captain Walden, and Lieutenant 
Bashore. Many others made pleasant visits during the 
months the regiment was in camp in the city, and, in a 
few instances, mothers and sisters were called to the city 
to nurse the sick and wounded men of the regiment. 

Twenty-five of the men who were captured at Shiloh by 
the enemy and held as prisoners of war were exchanged 
and returned to duty in the regiment during the month. 
The losses during the month were : 18 discharged for dis- 
ability, 2 died of wounds, 1 died of disease, 2 dropped for 
desertion; total loss, 23 men. The regiment Avas mus- 
tered for pay on the last day of the month, in quarters. 

On September 11th, the regiment went on provost 
guard duty again and w^as stationed by detachments and 
companies in different parts of the city, as on the former 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 135 

tour of duty. At the end of the week, September 18th, 
the 70th Ohio relieved the regiment and it returned to 
camp in much better condition than it did at the end of 
the first tour. The rest of the month was occupied in 
regular routine duties about the camp and not a few bri- 
gade drills. 

On October 1, 1862, the whole division was paraded in 
^rand review in the afternoon on the big common and 
irill ground in front of the fort, followed with a brigade 
irill by McDowell's brigade with General Sherman in 
3ommand. Tliis was witnessed by a large audience of 
citizens from the city and soldiers from the other camps. 

The threatening demonstrations by the enemy under 
jrenerals Van Dorn and Price, in the vicinity of Corinth, 
caused General Hurlbut's division to be ordered east 
ilong the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. 
riie splendid victory gained by General Rosecrans at 
2!orinth, over the combined forces of Price and Van Dorn, 
Dut new life and spirit in the troops throughout the de- 
Dartment. 

An election was held in the regiment for State and 
30unty officers as provided for in the special act of the 
[owa legislature, granting the right to vote while serving 
n the army. The whole number of votes cast for State 
)fficers was 358, of which 288 were cast for the Republi- 
•an ticket and 66 for the Democratic. 

The country on the opposite side of the Mississippi 
^iver, in the State of Arkansas, had become a fruitful 
ield for scouting and foraging parties from the camps 
m the bluffs. Despite the vigilance of the gunboat, al- 
ways at anchor in the middle of the river opposite the 
iity, small parties of from four to six -soldiers would suc- 
lessfuUy evade the gTiards and cross the river in small 



136 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

boats procured along the levee. The country contained 
an abundance of corn, melons, potatoes, and fruits — cul- 
tivated and wild in the woods — and, a seeming friendly 
hospitality existed, on the part of the planters and citi- 
zens found on that side of the river. But the frequent 
attacks made on passing steamers, above and below the 
city, by partisan bands of the enemy, causing loss of life 
and the destruction of large cargoes of government stores, 
resulted in severe retaliation on the planters and the de- 
struction of their property and plantations, in the vicin- 
ity of the depredations. The injured people were so en- 
raged over the destruction of their homes and property 
that they took advantage of every opportunity to re- 
venge their losses and assailed with fatal effect some 
of the small parties of venturesome soldiers invading 
their neighborhood. On October 14th, Charles Stevens, 
private in Company D, while engaged on an expedition in 
the forbidden territory, was mortally wounded by a gun- 
shot fired by a citizen ambushed in the swampy thicket, 
and died the next day. 

Thursday, October 23rd, the regiment went on provost 
guard duty in the city for the third time. Under the in- 
telligent and skillful instruction of Lieutenant-Colonel 
John M. Corse the regiment had acquired a proficiency in 
drill and all ceremonial duties, of a high order of excel- 
lence. Not only the Colonel, but every individual member 
of the regiment was proud of the soldierly bearing of 
the command, and embraced every opportunity to dis- 
play their gentlemanly bearing and soldierly qualities. 
The tour of guard duty in the city was seized upon as a 
favorable occasion to show the regiment to advantage, 
while passing through the city to report for duty. The 
arms, uniforms, and accouterments were all cleaned, pol- 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 137 

shed and burnished, until they fairly glistened in the sun. 
Svery man in ranks was critically and minutely inspect- 
ed by Colonel Corse in the company quarters, and, when 
'ormed on the regimental parade ground, every button, 
juckle, and strap was fast in its proper place, and each 
nan had his hair trimmed, beard shaved, and shoes pol- 
shed. The men were formed according to height, from 
nght to left of the companies, giving a uniformity and 
leatness of appearance, which elicited favorable criti- 
cism, stood the crucial test of inspection by the exacting 
IJolonel, and, above all, was satisfying to the proud 
spirits of the men in the ranks. 

Colonel Corse and Adjutant Ennis, mounted on spirit- 
id horses at the head of column, followed by the regi- 
nental drum corps and the ten companies — equalized 
vith 60 men in each company — marched through the 
sally-port of Old Fort Pickering en route to the city hall, 
,vhere the regiment reported for duty. On reaching the 
street, column of platoons was formed, and [Musician 
jeorge] Gutches set the pace ^vith '' Jaybird". The 
,vhole regiment marched as one man, with platoons 
Iressed, eyes to the front, and guns at right shoulder 
shift. While in march the column was changed, from 
Dlatoons to column of companies, to column in four ranks 
md back to column of platoons, the movements being ex- 
ecuted in splendid style and with precision of movement. 

At the corner of Jackson Park, the column changed di- 
rection to the right, while marching in column of com- 
Danies. Just at the point for observing the movement 
advantage were located quite a number of Confeder- 
ite officers, who Avere in the city as prisoners of war 
iwaiting exchange, and as each company wheeled to the 
right with admirable precision of alignment they mani- 



138 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

festecl their appreciation of the soldierly bearing of offi- 
cers and men by a vigorous clapping of their hands. 
Colonel Corse never experienced a prouder day in the 
whole course of his military career, than he did on that 
day, while leading the six hundred men of the Sixth Iowa, 
through the streets of the city of Memphis, Tennessee. 
On October 30th, the regiment was relieved by the 48th 
Ohio and returned to the camp at Fort Pickering. 

This third tour of duty was marked by greatly im- 
proved conditions in the city and its government as com- 
pared with the first week had by the regiment on the same 
duty, on the advent of the army in the possession of the 
city. The discipline among officers and men of the com- 
panies had been so much improved that the duty was per- 
formed without the demoralizing effects, resulting from 
the first tour in the city. 

On October 22nd, Major John Williams resigned on 
account of disability caused by wounds received at 
Shiloh, and Captain Alexander J. Miller of Company G 
was promoted to the vacancy. Captain Brydolf, having 
been commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 25th Iowa 
Infantry Volunteers and having departed for his new 
command, First-Lieutenant William H. Clune, of Com- 
pany H, was commissioned as Captain of Company I, 
and at once assumed command of the company. On Octo- 
ber 31st, the regiment was mustered for pay in the after- 
noon. 

During the first part of November, the troops embraced 
in the District of Memphis, commanded by General Sher- 
man, and a. large reenforcement of new regiments arriv- 
ing from the northwestern States w^ere organized into 
two divisions, consisting of five brigades of infantry, ten 
batteries of field artillery, one regiment and one battalion 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 139 

of cavalry, with an aggregate strength — present and 
absent — of 23,807 men, and present in line for duty — 
19,572 men and 48 guns of field artillery. Brigadier- 
General Morgan L. Smith commanded the First and 
Fourth brigades, and Brigadier-General J. W. Denver 
commanded the Second, Third, and Fifth brigades. By 
an order of November 12, 1862, Colonel McDowell re- 
tained command of the Second Brigade, composed as fol- 
lows: 40th Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel James W. 
Boothe; 46th Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles C. AVal- 
cutt; 6th Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel John M. Corse; 13th 
United States Infantry, Major Daniel Chase. The ar- 
tillery included the celebrated batteries of Captains Al- 
len C. Waterhouse, Axel Silfversparre, and William 
Cogswell; the cavalry consisted of the 6th Illinois, com- 
manded by Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson, and Major 
Christian Thielemann's battalion. 

On November 5th, the whole force of over 20,000 men 
was paraded in grand review, at 4 p. m., on the parade 
and drill grounds in front of Fort Pickering. They 
made a most magnificent military display which was wit- 
nessed by a very large audience from the city. In the 
closing paragraph of the orders, completing the organi- 
zation of the troops. General Sherman said: 

The commanding general expects all officers now to vie with 
each other in the display of soldierly zeal. . . . Let all 
marches and military movements be conducted in compact, good 
order, in cheerfulness and silence, and honor and fame will be 
our certain reward. 

Pursuant to instructions in special orders. District of 
Memphis, a detachment composed as follows: 72nd 
Ohio, 6th Iowa, 6th Missouri, 6 companies of the 32nd 



140 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

AVisconsin, Tliielemarm 's cavalry, and Bouton's battery, 
all under the command of Colonel Buckland, rendez- 
voused on Monday, November lOth, at 9 a. m., at the 
camp of the 54th Ohio, on the Hernando road, for special 
service. All were provided ^\dth 60 rounds of ammuni- 
tion, five days rations and forage, and there was one 
wagon and one ambulance for each regiment, squadron, 
and battery. 

The command marched out on the Hernando and 
Pigeon Roost road and camped for the night, having 
traveled a distance of 10 miles. November 11th, the 
troops marched at 6 a. m., halted at 11 a. m., started 
again at 4 p. m., and continued the march until after dark, 
the distance marched being 15 miles. It rained during 
the afternoon and far into the night, making the roads 
heayj'- for marching, and the whole situation about the 
camp very uncomfortable, especially for troops who had 
been so elegantly provided for while doing post duty in 
a large city. November 12th, the detachment marched 
8 miles to Germantown, on the Memphis and Charleston 
Railroad, where the command went into camp at 10 a. 
m., and remained during the day and the followiug night. 
November 13th, the march began at 6 a. m. After march- 
ing 15 miles the troops reached camp in Fort Pickering, 
at 1 p. m. The expedition was devoid of results, except 
that it imposed four days of very wearisome marching 
on the men. 

The routine duties of camp and the usual daily cere- 
monies prevailed at Fort Pickering until November 25th, 
w^hen marching orders were promulgated, to take effect 
the next day. The orders had been fully anticipated by 
all who had given any heed to the active preparations 
for field service, going on for the past twenty days. The 



CAMP AT MEMPHIS 141 

nice big Sibley tents, with which the regiment was snp- 
pUed, were turned in and new shelter tents issued — a 
half tent to each man — which were appropriately dubbed 
''pup" tents by the men. 

In many respects the four months encampment in the 
city, during the most pleasant season of the year, had 
proved pleasant and profitable to the command. Sup- 
plies of rations and equipment had been issued in abund- 
ance, mails had been received regularly, daily papers had 
been delivered in the camps, and much genuine enjoy- 
ment had been secured in the city attending church, so- 
cieties, theaters, the circus, and military ceremonies. 
Many had formed quite an extended circle of pleasant 
and friendly acquaintances, which were broken away 
from with many sincere regrets. 



X 

THE YOCKNA MAECH 

On Wednesday, November 26, 1862, the camp in Fort 
Pickering was struck at 7 a. m., and McDowell's brigade 
marched out and joined the rest of the division on the 
Pigeon Roost road, where all took up the line of march 
in the direction of the Coldwater River. 

Many sincere regrets were expressed by the men at 
bidding farewell to the city of Memphis, with all its 
pleasant surroundings and associations, to enter upon a 
long and hazardous campaign deep into the interior of 
the enemy's country, exposed to inclement weather, hard 
marching, severe tests of endurance, sickness, personal 
hardships, and the most critical danger in the presence 
of a brave and vigilant enemy. 

The military situation in West Tennessee and North 
Mississippi, summed up at the beginning of the campaign, 
was substantially as follows : the Union forces were sta- 
tioned at Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee, and Corinth, 
Mississippi, with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad 
as the base line. General Grant was in command and the 
master spirit directing the general advance into the in- 
terior, with Vicksburg as the grand objective. The 
forces were organized with a center column, starting 
from Jackson, Tennessee, and composed of 15,608 effec- 
tive men and 38 pieces of artillery, commanded by Ma- 
jor-General James B. McPherson, and moving south 
along the line of the Mississippi Central Railroad. A 
column, starting from Corinth, and comprising 13,484 

142 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 143 

men and 45 pieces of artillery, commanded by Major- 
General Charles S. Hamilton, was designated as the left 
wing. The Memphis column with 19,572 men and 48 
pieces of artillery, conmianded by Major-General William 
T. Sherman, was designated as the right wing. All con- 
verged on Holley Springs, Mississippi, mth an aggre- 
gate strength of 48,664 men and 131 guns. 

The severe punishment received by the Confederates, 
under General Earl Van Dom and General Sterling 
Price, in October, at luka and Corinth, caused them to 
seek shelter with their shattered forces behind the Talla- 
hatchie River, south of Holley Springs, where they hoped 
to recruit their thinned ranks and restore the morale of 
their troops. The suspension of General Beauregard 
from the active command of the Confederate army, after 
the evacuation of Corinth; the movement of General 
Bragg into Middle Tennessee with the bulk of the Corinth 
army, and the dispatch of large detachments of cavalry 
in the same direction had greatly reduced the available 
forces for the defense of North Mississippi, and had tak- 
en some of the ablest commanders to other fields. Every 
available detachment and command of Confederate 
troops, however, had been concentrated at the camps on 
the south side of the Tallahatchie River, where Lieuten- 
ant-General John C. Pemberton had recently assumed 
command, mth General Sterling Price and General 
Mansfield Lovell in command of the two organized corps 
of infantry and General Earl Van Dom in command of 
the cavalry corps. The strength of the army assembled 
on the Tallahatchie was 30,223 men of all arms present 
for duty, with a reserve force at Grenada and Jackson 
consisting of 17,918 men present for duty and available 
in an emergency. The aggregate force in the field to re- 



144 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

sist General Grant's movement was 48,141 men. The 
enemy had outposts, consisting of strong detachments of 
cavalry, posted at Ripley, Holley Springs, Byhalia, and 
Hernando, guarding in the direction of Corinth, Grand 
Junction, and Memphis. The central column of the ' 
Union advance had progressed south to Davis' Mills and 
Holley Springs, meeting with some resistance and in- 
curring slight loss. 

General Denver's division marched 8 miles the first 
day and camped for the night on the Nonconnah Creek, 
where the camp was pitched with the shelter tents for the 
first time. As usual at the beginning of a campaign the 
men found the loads in their knapsacks a burden beyond 
their strength to carry and the process of sorting out 
such articles as could best be dispensed with commenced 
at once. 

November 27th, the column continued the march on the 
Pigeon Eoost road and camped on Coldwater River, 
having traveled a distance of 16 miles. November 28th, 
the troops broke camp at an early hour, crossed the Cold- 
water stream, passed through the pleasant little village 
of Byhalia and camped on a large creek, a tributary of 
the Coldwater, the distance marched being 12 miles. 
November 29th, the Sixth Iowa went on picket guard and 
made a reconnoissance to the front for a distance of two 
miles, driving in the enemy's pickets and then returned 
to a good defensive position near the camps of the di- 
vision, where the whole regiment was stationed as the 
advance guard for the column. Sunday, November 30th, 
the division marched 6 miles south to Chulahoma and 
went into camp during a heavy downpour of rain. Mon- 
day, December 1, 1862, the division remained in camp 
during the day in the midst of great discomfort to the 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 145 

troops, on account of the heavy rain during the after- 
noon and night before. Artilleiy firing was heard dur- 
ing the day in the direction of the Tallahatchie River, 
where the enemy was reported to be in great force and 
well fortified. 

December 2nd, the division marched all day in the rain 
and camped at Wyatt on the Tallahatchie River, covering 
a distance of 10 miles. December 3rd, the troops re- 
mained in camp all day, while the Second Division was 
engaged in constructing a bridge across the river. De- 
cember 4th, the regiment furnished a large detail to work 
on the bridge at the river. A heavy rain continued 
throughout the day, flooding the whole country and mak- 
ing the roads practically impassable. December 5th, the 
division broke camp at 8 a. m., crossed the river on the 
newly constructed bridge, and camped at College Hill af- 
ter marcliing a distance of 9 miles. The depth of the 
mud in the Tallahatchie bottoms was designated as "no 
bottom". 

At the approach of the converging columns of the 
Union army the Confederates evacuated their position 
and the strong defensive works erected by them along the 
line of the Tallahatchie River, and fell back to a new po- 
sition south of Oxford, not having made any serious re- 
sistance to the advance of the Union forces. General 
Grant concentrated all his troops in the vicinity of Ox- 
ford, when the first stage of the campaign was teraiinated 
with a complete Union victorj^ 

Considering the narrow country roads traveled over, 
which were made almost impassable by the frequent hard 
rains, the march from Memphis to the Tallahatchie had 
been rapid, sorely taxing the animals in the artillery, the 
heavy ammunition and supply trains, and causing great 



146 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

fatigue and intense suffering among the troops, especial- 
ly those of the newly arrived regiments, some of whom 
had been less than a month away from their homes. 

Nearly every soldier had accumulated a large supply 
of good serviceable clothing, blankets, and many little 
articles of convenience while in camp at Memphis, which, 
on starting from that city, all were reluctant to part vnih 
and overloaded the knapsacks by trying to retain them. 
The soldier's g-un and 40 rounds of ammunition in his 
cartridge box, and an extra 20 rounds in his knapsack, a 
canteen and haversack with three days rations, alto- 
gether made a load for each man to carry, weighing from 
60 to 80 pounds, which none but the strongest were able 
to successfully contend with. 

The reported extensive plundering of plantations in 
the country passed through, by small bands of soldiers 
straggling from the columns, had caused General Sher- 
man to issue, on December 6th, stringent orders couched 
in his usual plain and vigorous language, as follows : 

Our mission is to maintain, not to violate, all laws, hnman 
and divine. Plundering is hnrtfnl to our cause and to the hon- 
orable tone which characterizes the army of a great nation. 

The Government of the United States undertakes to pay, 
clothe, and feed her troops well, and is prepared to do it. The 
officers and soldiers have no right to look to any quarter for 
compensation and subsistence. By existing orders the quarter- 
masters and commissaries of brigades may take corn-fodder and 
any species of forage, and cattle, hogs, sheep, meal, or any 
species of subsistence stores, which property they account for 
to the Government (in the same manner as if purchased, leav- 
ing to the proper authorities of our Government) to pay for the 
same or not according to loyalty of the owner. Fire-wood can 
be taken by the troops from the standing or fallen timber, or 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 147 

even rails, when such timber is not to be had ; but the taking of 
chickens, turkeys, pigs, or anything by soldiers is as much pill- 
age and stealing as though committed in our own coun- 
try. . . . 

Each brigadier will hold each colonel or commander of a 
regiment responsible that when any of his men leave their ranks 
and pillage not only shall the stolen articles be turned into the 
brigade quartermasters or commissary, but that the soldiers 
be punished by fine or otherwise by sentence of a field offi- 
cer. . . . 

Colonels of regiments will cause the Articles of War to be 
read to their men now, and repeat it every month, and impress 
on them that they are employed to do the work of their Govern- 
ment and not their own will, and that we are in a hostile 
country where large armies, though unseen, are maneuvering 
for our destruction. To be ready we must act in concert, pre- 
pared to move in any direction at a moment's notice, and this 
would be impossible if men are allowed to roam about the coun- 
try plundering at will. 

The order also provided that the giving of a false 
alarm by the firing of a gun should be punished; that 
soldiers must never leave their ranks mthout the order 
of their brigadier; and that an officer and a sufficient 
number of men should be detailed by each brigadier to 
collect cattle, hogs, sheep, or any kind of subsistence, to 
be issued to the troops as part of their regular supplies. 

The orders had a very salutary effect on the troops 
and resulted in the enforcement of a most rigid discip- 
line throughout the army. Many soldiers of the Sixth 
Iowa were arrested and summarily punished as provided 
in the orders, for foraging in the country on their own 
account. In some instances men were tied up by their 
thumbs for a whole night and compelled to march during 
the day tied to a wagon ; non-commissioned officers were 

11 



148 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

summarily reduced to the ranks for the slightest infringe- 
ment of the orders. 1 

While passing a plantation on the march to the Talla- 
hatchie, Lieutenant Bashore commanding Company T),\ 
shot and killed a turkey that was perched in a tall tree,j 
with a gun taken from one of his men in the ranks of the ; 
company, for which he was placed under arrest. A gen- 
eral court-martial was convened, while the division was 
camped at College Hill, to dispose of numerous cases and 
Lieutenant Bashore was put on trial for shooting the tur- 
key. Before the case was fully tried the court was dis-, 
solved by the officers composing it being ordered to other ' 
and distant fields of operations. Lieutenant Bashore re- 
turned to duty in command of his company and no further ' 
proceedings were had, and thus a gallant officer was saved 
from a sentence of humiliating reprimand or something 
worse. 

On Sunday, December 7th, General Sherman's com- 
mand was reviewed by General Grant in the afternoon. 
On December 9th, the division was reviewed by General 
Sherman, when he took occasion to deliver a short speech 
to each regiment, bidding them farewell, before leaving 
for Memphis with the 13th Regulars and two divisions of 
his army corps to compose a part of an expedition form- 
ing there to proceed down the Mississippi Eiver and go 
against Vicksburg. 

On December 11th, camp at College Hill was broken 
and the whole division marched south, a distance of 8 
miles, and camped on Clear Creek. On December 12th, 
the march was continued to the Yockna [Yocona] River, 
a distance of 12 miles. On Sunday, December 14th, gen- 
eral inspection was held in the forenoon and church ser- 
vices in the afternoon. Company and battalion drills 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 149 

had been resumed while the army was halted along the 
line of the Yockna, Despite the precautions taken, many- 
men were prostrated with chills and fevers. 

On December 18th, orders by the President were read 
on parade, dividing the troops of the Department of West 
Tennessee and the Department of Missouri, operating 
on the Mississippi River, into four army corps. Com- 
manders were assigned as follows: 13th Army Corps, 
General John A. McClernand ; 15th Army Corps, General 
W. T. Sherman; 16th Army Corps, General S. A. Hurl- 
but; and 17th Army Corps, General J. B. McPherson. 

In making the assignments for the organization of the 
new corps, the command of General J. W. Denver was 
designated as the First Division of the 17th Army Corps. 
It was composed of two brigades as follows : 40th Illi- 
nois, 12th and 100th Indiana, 46th Ohio, and 6th Iowa, 
Colonel McDowell commanding; 97th and 99th Indiana, 
53rd and 70th Ohio, Colonel Cockerill commanding; 
Cheney's, Bouton's, and Cogswell's Illinois, and Muel- 
ler's Indiana batteries. The total strength of the division 
was 5550 men and 16 guns. The other three divisions 
composing the corps were commanded by General J. A. 
Logan, J. G. Lauman, and G. M. Dodge, with Colonel B. H. 
Grierson in command of the brigade of cavalry. The 
aggregate strength of the 17th Army Corps present was 
30,456 men and 67 guns. The total strength of the four 
army corps, composing the Army of the Tennessee, was 
93,816 men and officers present, with an aggregate 
strength, present and absent, of 121,051, and 153 guns. 

Sunday, December 21st, was devoted to inspection of 
the troops and religious services in the afternoon. 
Marching orders for the next morning were read at pa- 
rade in the evening. 



150 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

On December 20th, General Grant directed Colonel Ed- 
ward Hatch, 2nd Iowa Cavalry, commanding the brigade 
of cavalry, to take all the effective cavalry force south of j 
the Yocknapatalfa Eiver and make a demonstration ast, 
far toward Grenada as he could go without serious re-, 
sistance and thence return to Oxford, destroying; 
thoroughly all bridges on railroads and wagon roads and ; 
all mills on the line of march. On the same day. General 
Van Dorn, commanding the Confederate cavalry, had at- 
tacked Holley Springs and overcome the small garrison, 
and had destroyed a million dollars worth of army sup- « 
plies and paroled 1500 prisoners. The destruction of 
the supplies at Holley Springs made it impracticable for 
the army to advance any farther, hence the orders to 
march to the north side of the Tallahatchie River. 

December 22nd, the whole division broke camp at an 
early hour and commenced the movement back to the Tal- 
lahatchie, traveled a distance of 12 miles, and camped 
for the night on Clear Creek. By order of General Mo- 
Pherson, all the empty wagons in the train were filled 
during the day with forage accumulated in the country, 
and the commissary seized all provisions, such as cattle 
and hogs, and took them along. All wagon bridges on 
the route of march were destroyed. 

It was while the column was halted by the roadside 
during the day that a gentlemanly looking old man, 
mounted on a spry moving ''critter", came along the road 
and "Loppy" Stewart, one of the mounted foragers, ban- 
tered the old man to trade horses. His quick compliance 
mth the suggestion to dismount, and let his mare be tried 
under an army saddle, showed at once his genial good na- 
ture and quick perception of a trying situation. After 
prancing the old mare up and down the road a time or 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 151 

two, Stewart said : "Well, old man, it's a trade". With 
an expression of countenance as comical as it had appear- 
ed genial, the old man replied : ' ' Sir, I am nigh onto sev- 
enty-five years old and I have traded horses more 'n a hun- 
dred times, but this is the first time I ever swapped horses 
without having anything to say in the deal". Willing 
hands assisted the old gentleman to replace his saddle on 
his mare, when he galloped away with victory beaming 
on his good natured face. 

It was while collecting forage and stock and while in 
the act of chasing a sheep through the camps, that '' Jetf ", 
the regimental dog, was shot and seriously wounded by 
an officer of the regular army. The dog being a univer- 
sal pet in the regiment, the incident caused much excite- 
ment and some hostile demonstrations, but better counsel 
prevailed and the dog soon recovered. 

On December 23rd, the march was continued and the 
column passed through College Hill and Abbeville to the 
Tallahatchie River at the railroad bridge. Here it 
crossed on a pontoon bridge and went into camp one mile 
from the river on an elevated and bleak position on the 
Bdge of the timber overlooking the broad cultivated cot- 
ton fields on the Tallahatchie bottoms. 

The fortifications constructed by the enemy along the 
line of the Tallahatchie were models of engineering skill 
and were solidly constructed earthworks, which had re- 
:][uired a great expenditure of labor by slaves and by 
soldiers detailed from the army. A direct assault on any 
portion of the line by the Union army during the advance 
would have proved disastrous. The Confederates were 
nade to abandon their strongly fortified position by the 
Union columns appearing on their flanks, turning the po- 
sition and endangering their communications. Their re- 



152 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

treat was precipitate, causing great hardships and ser- 
ious demoralization in their army. i 
In the beautiful college town of Oxford, the seat of the i 
State university and the center of wealth and culture in • 
that section, the scene during the retreat south beggars 
description. It was told by those who remained how the 
long columns of troops, tired, wet, and soiled, poured 
through the town, accompanied by carriages, buggies, and 
even carts, filled with terror-stricken, delicate ladies, 
whole families carrying with them their household goods 
and negroes. The scene was truly one of indescribable ! 
confusion and excitement — one of those gloomy pictures 
of war so distressing in all its circumstances. Thus it 
was that the Confederates retreated, day after day, in 
drenching rainstorms and over roads in a terrible con- 
dition, through Water-valley, Coffeeville, and to Grena- 
da, amid the roar of artillery and unprecedented suffer- 
ing. The occupation of the territory by the Union army 
for a short period, its enforced retreat and the destruc- 
tion of all bridges and mills, and stripping the country of 
nearly every vestige of forage and subsistence completed 
the ruin of wealthy planters and the devastation of a 
beautiful and productive country. 

On December 24th, the weather was cloudy and cold 
with a bleak north wind chilling everybody to the bone. 
The event of the day though, was Colonel McDowell's 
issue of a full ''gigger" [jigger— less than a gill] of com- 
missary whiskey to each man in the regiment. Orders 
were also issued throughout the command to put the 
troops on half rations, a result of the destruction of the 
army stores and supplies at Holley Springs. 

Christmas, December 25th, was cold and dreary, caus- 
ing much painful suffering among the troops, many of 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 153 

whom were thinly clad and limited to a single blanket, on 
account of not being able to carry a heavy load, on the 
long marches and over the muddy roads. Company D, 
Lieutenant Bashore commanding, was detailed and de- 
parted as escort for the division wagon train, ordered 
to Memphis for supplies. 

On December 27th, the whole regiment escorted a for- 
aging train to the countrj^ for supplies, passing through 
Wyatt and out on the Panola road to a large plantation, 
where it went into camp for the night and the wagons 
were loaded with com. The command returned to camp 
the next day with the loaded train, having marched 20 
miles. Company D returned to the regiment the same 
evening, the orders to escort the train to Memphis, having 
been countermanded at Chulahoma. 

December 29th, the whole command broke camp on the 
Tallahatchie and marched to HoUey Springs, a distance 
of 16 miles. The troops were camped at the outer edge 
of town, where on the next day a regular camp was laid 
out, the ground nicely policed and the camp pitched pre- 
paratory to remaining for an indefinite period. The 
weather continued cold and very disagreeable, with heavy 
rains and some snow. On December 31st, an inspection 
of the regiment was held. The troops were also mus- 
tered for pay, the year's service being terminated. 

At the close of the year, the Confederates had the pres- 
tige of decided success in the recent military operations 
inaugurated by the Union commanders in North Missis- 
sippi and at Vicksburg, which had resulted in General 
Grant's main column falling back to the north side of the 
Tallahatchie and the defeat in the Yazoo Valley of Gen- 
eral Sherman's expedition against the fortified strong- 
hold at Vicksburg. 



154 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

General Van Dorn's success in his raid on the Union 
line of communication at Holley Springs had put him in 
high favor with the Confederate authorities and the 
army, and had demonstrated that a large mounted force 
commanded by a bold leader was to be a formidable fac- 
tor in all future operations. 

General N. B. Forrest, another bold Confederate lead- 
er hovering in the vicinity with a well equipped command, 
was quick to follow up the recent successes by pushing in- 
to West Tennessee with his whole cavalry command, 
where he compelled several small garrisons guarding the 
railroad to surrender. But his operations were finally 
broken up and his whole force driven out of the territory, 
with some loss in men and material, while large quanti- 
ties of the stores and anus, captured by him with the 
garrisons, were recovered. 

Numerous bands of partisans, in companies and bat- 
talions commanded by bold and skilled leaders, were ac- 
tive in all the territory from the Tallahatchie River 
north to the Ohio River, and especially along the lines of 
railroad operated by the Union forces. Chief among 
these bold and relentless partisans were Colonels W. C. 
Falkner and Robert V. Richardson, Major G. L. Blythe, 
Captains [J. F. ?] "VVliite and Solomon Street, who con- 
fined their operations to the vicinity of Holley Springs 
and La Grange. 

The wholesale destruction of all species of property in 
the country — by friends and foes — had so exasperated 
the inhabitants throughout the section, who composed 
the membership of the partisan organizations, that a most 
wanton destruction of human life was inaugnirated by 
both sides. Murders and cowardly assassinations were 
of daily occurrence, and the destruction of palatial plan- 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 155 

tations, in retaliation, was prosecuted relentlessly, and 
that in spite of the most stringent orders to the contrary. 

The direful effects of the Confederate cavalry raid 
were in evidence everywhere about the beautiful little 
southern city of Holley Springs, in the burned store 
buildings, depot, armory, hospitals, and private dwell- 
ings. General Van Dom's Confederate cavalry had 
rushed into the town at daylight, meeting with but slight 
resistance. The Union garrison was surprised and 1500 
men were surrendered and paroled as prisoners of war 
before they were aware of the real situation. The in- 
human and barbarous treatment of critically ill soldiers 
in the hospitals will ever stand against the men who per- 
petrated the fiendish acts, as almost unparalleled in the 
cruelties of war. ^° 

The beginning of the new year found the contending 
forces in the Western Department disposed as follow^s: 
General Grant and General McPherson at Holley Springs, 
with the divisions of Logan, Denver, and Lauman, num- 
bering, in addition to staff officers, 20,522 men present 
for duty and 60 guns ; two small brigades of cavalry com- 
manded by Colonel [B. H. ] Grierson and Colonel [A. L.] 
Lee — all under the direction of Colonel T. Lyle Dickey 
as Chief of Cavalry — numbering about 3500 men and 7 
guns, who were engaged scouting the country from the 
Mobile and Ohio Railroad to the Mississippi River; Gen- 
eral Dodge, at Corinth ; General Hamilton, at La Grange ; 
General Sullivan, at Jackson; General Veatch, at Mem- 
phis ; and. Generals Sherman and McClemand, command- 

10 The incident referred to was the burning of a Union hospital and the 
forcing of one hundred and fifty sick Union sokliers to rise and march a 
distance under a threat of being shot. — -War of the EehelUon: Official 
Records, Series I, Vol. XVII, Pt. 1, pp. 510, 511. 



156 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ing the expedition doT\Ti the Mississippi River, at Vicks- 
burg. The aggregate number of effective men for duty 
in the department was 93,816 and 153 guns. 

The Confederates were mostlv concentrated at Grena- 
da, Mississippi, where they were strongly fortified. Gen- 
eral Johnston commanded the department, ^^th General 
Pemberton at Vicksburg, Generals Price and Lovell at 
Grenada, and Generals Van Dom and Forrest com- 
manding the cavalry divisions. The aggregate strength 
was about 60,000 men. General Van Dom was at Pon- 
totoc, Mississippi, with about 8000 men, and General 
Forrest had crossed the Tennessee River and, for the 
time, was operating in Middle Tennessee, south of Nash- 
ville. " 

Thursday, January 1, 1863, found the men of the Sixth 
Iowa in camp at HoUey Springs where they were engaged 
performing daily routine duty, consisting of heavy de- 
tails for outpost and camp guards, company and battalion 
drills, and dress parades — when it was not raining. 

On Sunday, January 4th, the usual general inspection 
was held in the forenoon, and religious services in the 
afternoon, conducted by the regimental Chaplain, the 
Reverend John Ufford. January 6th, the regiment broke 
camp at an early hour and marched north mth the di- 
vision, passed through the village of Salem and camped 
for the night, having traveled 15 miles. January 7th, 
Wolf River, at Davis' Mills, was crossed and camp made, 
after a distance of 10 miles had been marched. 

During the evening, a small squad went to a planta- 
tion beyond the outposts where they were fired on from 

11 From December 11, 1862, to January 3, 1863, Brigadier-General N. B. 
Forrest was operating in Western Tennessee. — War of the Bebellion: 
Official Eecards, Series I, Vol. XVII, Pt. 1, pp. 593-597. 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 157 

the house, and Noah Carmach, musician in Companv E, 
was shot and instantly killed. The affair being reported 
at regimental headquarters, Lieutenant-Colonel Corse 
commanding the regiment, selected companies E, I, and 
K, and proceeded in hot haste to the plantation, where 
the dead body of Carmach was found lying in the front 
yard, where he had fallen. The plantation belonged to 
Robert W. Smith, a wealthy and influential citizen in 
that section, who was an ardent supporter of the south- 
ern cause, and if any armed troops had been there they 
had escaped before Colonel Corse and his avenging party 
arrived. A thorough search of the premises was made 
and W. P. Kremer, of Company I, procured a small tin- 
type picture of a young man which was identified by 
a nearly white slave girl as the son of the proprietor of 
the premises, who, she said, had shot and killed Carmach 
in the early evening. A pass was also found in the house, 
as follows : 

Headquarters 13tli Army Corps, 
Department of Tennessee. 

La Grange, Nov. 13, 1862. 
Mr. R, W. Smith has permission to come from his home south- 
east of La Grange to this place and return, good for four days. 
By command of Major-General Grant, 

William S. Hilly er. 
Colonel and Provost Marshal General. 

These w^ar relics had no real intrinsic value, but Mr. 
Kremer, who became an extensive book maker and pub- 
lisher in the city of New York, placed a keeping value 
upon them. The dwelling house and many of the out- 
buildings on the plantation were fired and entirely con- 
sumed, when the companies returned to camp at daylight 
in a drenching rainstorm, with Carmach 's body. 



158 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Friday, January 9tli, the command marched to Grand 
Junction, Tennessee, the crossing of the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad and the Mississippi Central Rail- 
road, where the brigade went into camp and commenced 
erecting winter quarters. The work was greatly im- 
peded by heavy rains and continued inclement weather, 
which caused great discomfort to all. 

General Grant had withdrawn all his troops from North 
Mississippi back to the line of the Memphis and Charles- 
ton Railroad, where the commands designated to garri- 
son the posts along the line commenced erecting mnter 
quarters. 

The success attending the Union army in the Western 
Department during the first half of the expired year and 
the favorable progress made in the summer and early 
fall were almost eclipsed by the withdrawal of the army 
from North Mississippi and the serious repulse sustained 
at the Chickasaw Blutf s, on the Yazoo River, near Vicks- 
burg. 

The elections in the northern States during the fall 
had resulted adversely to the administration party in 
several of the great States. This greatly encouraged 
the anti-war party to think that a peaceful compromise 
of the war would soon follow, and caused corresponding 
depression and discouragement throughout the army. 

President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, free- 
ing the slaves, had placed the government and the army 
up against the real issue, and thus the real bone being 
contended for by the prosecution of the war was laid 
bare. Many who had been enthusiastio at the beginning 
were becoming lukewarai and sought honorable opportun- 
ity to get out of the army. The dark cloud hanging over 
the destiny of the countrj^ and the depressed spirit ap 
pearing among the soldiers caused the gallant soldier and 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 159 

patriot, General John A. Logan, to issue an address to 
the army that rang out clear and distinct, like a bell in 
the night : 

I am aware that influences of the most discouraging and 
treasonable character, well calculated and designed to render 
you dissatisfied, have recently been brought to bear upon some 
of you by professed friends. Newspapers, containing treason- 
able articles, artfully falsifying the public sentiment at your 
homes, have been circulated in your camps. Intriguing politi- 
cal tricksters, demagogues, and time-servers, whose corrupt 
deeds are but a faint reflex of their more corrupt hearts, seem 
determined to drive our people on, to anarchy and destruction. 
They have hoped, by magnifying the reverses of our arms, base- 
ly misrepresenting the conduct and slandering the character of 
our soldiers in the field, and boldly denouncing the acts of the 
constituted authorities of the Government as unconstitutional 
usurpations, to produce general demoralization in the army, and 
thereby reap their political reward, weaken the cause we have 
espoused, and aid those arch traitors of the South to dismember 
our mighty republic and trail in the dust the emblem of our 
national unity, greatness, and glory. 

Let me remind you, my countrymen, that we are soldiers of 
the Federal Union, armed for the preservation of the Federal 
Constitution and the maintenance of its laws and authority. 
Upon your faithfulness and devotion, heroism, and gallantry, 
depend its perpetuity. To us has been committed this sacred 
inheritance, baptized in the blood of our fathers. "We are sold- 
iers of a Government that has always blessed us with prosperity 
and happiness. It has given to every American citizen the 
largest freedom and the most perfect equality of rights and 
privileges ; it has afforded us security in' person and property, 
and blessed us until, under its beneficent influence, we were the 
proudest nation on earth. . . . 

Let us stand firm at our posts of duty and of honor, yielding 
a cheerful obedience to all orders from our superiors, until, by 
our united efforts, the Stars and Stripes shall be planted in 



160 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

every city, town, and hamlet of the rebellious States. We can 
then return to our homes, and through the ballot-box peacefully 
redress all our wrongs, if any we have. . . . March bravely 
onward! Nerve your strong arms to the task of overthrowing 
every obstacle in the pathway of victory until with shouts of 
triumph the last gun is fired that proclaims us a united people 
under the old flag and one government ! Patriot soldiers ! This 
great work accomplished, the reward for such service as yours 
will be realized; the blessings and honors of a grateful people 
will be yours. 

The recent success had been correspondingly inspir- 
ing to the Confederate soldiers and their people, causing 
great enthusiasm and activity in every department of 
their governmental affairs and army operations. On 
Christmas day, there had been a grand and imposing re- 
view of all the Confederate troops at Grenada, Mississip- 
pi, at which were present President Jefferson Davis, 
General Joseph E. Johnston, and many other noted and 
distinguished celebrities of the army and Confederate 
government. 

It was on that day, in the midst of the great fete, that 
the news of General Van Dom's success at Holley 
Springs reached them, and the brilliant exploit, with its 
far reaching effects at such an opportune time, did much 
to relieve that officer from the universal disapprobation 
attaching to Mm on account of his personal character and 
the ''lower than the lowest depth" to which he had fallen 
in the estimation of all Christian men. An acquittal by 
a court-martial of angels would not have relieved him of 
the odium. ^^ 



12 A Confederate Court of Inquiry convened at Abbeville, Mississippi, 
exonerated Major General Earl Van Dorn of charges of neglect of duty, 
cruelty, and drunkenness, the report being approved November 28, 1862. 
War of the Behellio7i: Official Eecords, Series I, Vol. XVII, Pt. 1, pp. 
414-459. 



THE YOCKNA MARCH 161 

The campaign from Memphis, though short, had been 
attended with great hardship, and much disagreeable ex- 
posure, being the most trying experience for the men of 
the regiment since entering the service. The recent cruel 
barbarities practiced by both sides were revolting in the 
extreme, and there was exhibited a spirit of hatred and 
unbridled passion, unparalleled in the history of the war. 

The murderous methods adopted by the partisan bands 
infesting every neighborhood, and the high handed pil- 
laging and wanton destruction of private property by 
straggling bands of Union soldiers had engendered such 
feelings of resentment and such a desire for retaliation, 
that civilized methods for conducting military campaigns 
seemed to have been abandoned and the worst passions 
of human nature given full sway. 



XI 

WINTER CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION 

The camp of the Sixth Iowa was located in the south 
west angle of the railroad crossing, on a piece of rising 
ground, fronting to the west. The other regiments com- 
posing the garrison for the post were located close about 
the crossing with a view to a proper defense of the po- 
sition. A much larger force was encamped at La Grange, 
two miles west, where the division headquarters were 
located. 

Without much regard to uniformity of construction or 
regularity in position, each company erected a line of 
rudely constructed barracks, the size of each hut and 
barrack being regulated by the material at hand for its 
erection. Some were provided with sheet-iron stoves, 
others with stick chimney fire-places, and not a few were 
"without any means for heating. 

Full rations were issued and prepared by company 
cooks, who served each man separately with a bountiful 
supply of bread, meat, beans, potatoes, sugar, coffee, tea, 
and at stated times, a limited supply of other vegetables. 
The regimental bakery supplied a fine quality of soft 
bread and the meat ration was composed of fresh beef, 
salt pork, and bacon, in ample quantity and good quality. 

New clothing, blankets, and other equipment necessary 
for immediate comfort, were issued to the full amount 
required. The pleasant days were occupied with com- 
pany and battalion drills. Large details were made each 
day to procure fuel, erect fortifications, and police the 

162 



CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION 163 

iamps. The details for picket guards or outpost duty 
md escorts for wagon trains going to the country for for- 
ige, were made by company — each company taking its 
urn at a tour of duty. 

Local bands of partisans and larger commands of reg- 
ilar Confederate cavalry scoured the country continual- 
y making it extremely hazardous for small detachments 
venture far beyond the lines of the established camps, 
tiany spirited engagements occurred between the escorts 
,nd the roving bands, resulting in loss of life and the 
apture of prisoners by both sides. 

A limited number of officers and enlisted men received 
urloughs to visit their homes in Iowa. Those were 
avored who would have the most influence in correcting 
he many damaging reports and stories circulated among 
larents and friends at home, which were calculated to 
■reatly injure the Union cause and create dissatisfaction 
Tith the conduct of the war. The furloughs were much 
ought after by officers and enlisted men and it was only 
atural and human that a little partiality should be shown 
y those w^ho had authority to grant them. 

Resignations, discharges, and promotions were of fre- 
uent occurrence in the regiment during the winter, when 
lany notable changes were made in the regimental and 
>mpany organizations. The resig-nation of Colonel John 
idair McDowell was accepted, to take effect on March 12, 
863, when Lieutenant-Colonel John M. Corse, was pro- 
loted to Colonel; Major Alexander J. Miller, to Lieu- 
3nant-Colonel; Adjutant Thomas J. Emiis, to Major; 
iommissary-Sergeant Peter F. Crichton, to Quartermas- 
3r, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Quar- 
irmaster James Brunaugh, an efficient officer, who quit 
le service on account of continued ill health. 



164 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Of the original Captains all were out of the service, ex- 
cept Captain Galland of Company H, who had been ab- 
sent as a prisoner of war since the battle of Shiloh. The 
new company commanders were men of ability and cour- 
age, who had discharged every duty with fidelity and were ; 
highly respected for their sterling manhood and their 
soldierly qualities. Captain Charles T. Golding, Com- 
pany A ; Captain David J. McCoy, Company B ; Captain 
Robert Allison, Company C ; Captain John L. Bashore, 
Company D ; Captain Leander C. Allison, Company E ; 
Captain Calvin Minton, Company F; Captain James J. 
Jordan, Company G ; Captain George R. Nunn, Company 
H ; Captain William H. Clune, Company I ; and Captain , 
George W. Holmes, Company K, w^ere men worthy to as- 
sume the duties laid down by their distinguished pred- : 
ecessors. 

No less distinguished and capable were the young men 
who were raised from the ranks to be Lieutenants in the 
several companies, as follows : R. F. Barker, D. S. Sig- 
ler, H. C. Clock, F. F. Baldwin, T. J. Elrick, C. P. Wright, 
E. A. Canning, A. C. Rarick, E. G. Fracker, W. H. Samp- 
son, E. F. Alden, G. W. Clark, 0. F. Howard, W. H. Ar- 
nold, and J. L. Cook. They were officers of tried cour- 
age, and men of character and gentlemanly bearing. To 
make the selections to fill the vacancies in the non-com- 
missioned staff was a task attended with much perplexity 
and not a little embarrassment, where so many were qual- 
ified and deserving. 

Officers were granted the privilege of visiting the city 
of Memphis, ostensibly to purchase equipment, but it was 
confidently believed by the men that the trips were usual- 
ly made for pleasure more than business. 

The construction of Fort Star, a small earthwork lo- 



CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION 165 

cated in Major Smith's field north of the junction a few 
hundred yards, was commenced and the work prosecuted 
by heavy details daily, during the winter. 

Frequent expeditions were made out in the country to 
capture noted characters and returned Confederate sol- 
diers. These were generally conducted at night and were 
attended with much fatigue and great hardship, on ac- 
count of bad roads, caused by heavy rains and some snow. 
The captures and attendant results of such expeditions 
were never very compensating for the efforts made and 
hardships endured by those engaged ; however, there was 
never a lack of volunteers to engage in any and all such 
forays. 

General Van Dom, with his corps of 8000 cavalry, 
had joined Forrest and Wheeler in Middle Tennessee, 
where they were operating against the Army of the Cum- 
berland at Nashville and Murfreesborough. He left the 
roving bands and detachments under Richardson, Falk- 
ner, Blythe, White, Smith, and ''Sol" Street to harass 
and annoy the Union forces guarding the railroads. 
They made frequent attacks, attended with some success, 
A report sent in to headquarters of an attack on a train or 
of an obstruction placed on the track would cause great 
excitement and the calling out of the troops in full battle 
array. 

The months of January and February, 1863, were a 
period of great anxiety to those charged with the prepar- 
ation and organization of the army for the approaching 
campaign for the capture of Vicksburg and the opening 
of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. 

The forced inactivity of the army during the winter 
added fuel to the adverse criticisms on the conduct of 
military affairs in the department and of the war gener- 



166 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ally. Northern newspapers were eagerly sought after; 
by the soldiers in the camps to learn the extent of the I 
clamor raised by those who were opposed to the adminis- 
tration and its conduct of the war. The unjust assaults 
made on General Grant personally and on many of his 
leading officers, by jealous rivals in the army and through 
unfriendly newspapers, caused orders to be issued, ex- 
cluding the Chicago Times from circulating in the army. 
That was probably the darkest and most depressing per- 
iod in General Grant's war experience. 

It is a notable fact that during all that gloomy period 
his faith and confidence in the intelligence and loyalty of 
the rank and file of his army never abated nor weakened ; 
neither did the men in the ranks waver in their loyalty 
to him as a commander. Inspired and supported by such 
true and unselfish patriots and commanders as Sherman 
and McPherson in the army, and Admiral David D. Por- 
ter of the gunboat fleet, and through the abiding faith 
and confidence reposed in him by President Lincoln, Gen- 
eral Grant matured his plans mth dehberation, and pro- 
ceeded with great energy and wisdom in the organiza- 
tion of his army, and in making the dispositions that won 
the victory. 

Political meddling had a baleful influence in many regi- 
ments, but was never developed in the administration of 
the Sixth Iowa sufficiently to cause any serious disturb- 
ance at any time. 

The frequent capture of individual soldiers and some 
small parties, while in the country three or four miles be- 
yond the camp guards, who turned up in camp the next 
day with parols, granted by "Sol" Street or "Bob" 
Smith, two partisan leaders in the vicinity, and asked to 
be sent to the northern exchange camps, caused investi- 



CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION 167 

Ration to be made. It developed that this was a system- 
itic method adopted to get north to the exchange camps, 
vhere they would take ' ' French leave ' ' and visit at their 
lomes for months. Orders were issued refusing to rec- 
)gnize the parols issued by Smith and Street, and this 
!oon broke up the practice, for the reason that no one 
yould care to fall into the hands of the rangers, under 
egitimate circumstances, after having violated his pa- 
•ol. To the credit of the Sixth Iowa it can be said truth- 
fully that they did as much scouting and escort duty as 
my regiment at the post, and with the least complaint on 
iccount of captures, desertion, and absence without 
eave. 

The many and rapidly shifting events in the prosecu- 
ion of the war had caused Union commanders in the field 
md leading counselors in the administration at Washing- 
on to materially change their first impressions, generally 
leld, as to the political features of the war and its prob- 
able duration. The idea of a speedy peace through some 
ind of a compromise was fast giving way to a settled 
onviction that the Confederate leaders were determined 
u. their purpose to establish an independent government ; 
hat they had counted the cost and were prepared to 
lake the sacrifice to the last man and every available re- 
ource. 

General Grant, in common with thousands of soldiers 
n the ranks of the Union armies, had expected to see the 
'Union as it was" restored after a hard-fought battle or 
wo ; and, to avoid a radical change in the future destiny 
f a race of people, he had desired to see the negro slaves 
a the South remain with their old masters. But he was 
ever guilty of employing a large part of his army to pro- 
ect the property of those engaged in the Eebellion; 



168 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

neither did he enter into the business of returning fugi- 
tive slaves or driving them from the camps back into cap- 
tivity. The sentiments of the commander were quickly 
disseminated throughout the army and crystallized all 
opinions into one harmonious unity. Human slavery and 
the southern Confederacy had become one and insepar- 
able; and, after January 1, 1863, the existence of both 
was staked upon the issue of battle. 

When sworn into the military service of the United 
States and clothed in the uniform. General Grant recog- 
nized the colored man as an American soldier, entitled to 
all the rights and subject to the same regulations as the 
white man. In orders to the army on the subject, he 
said, ''It is expected that all commanders will specially 
exert themselves in carrying out the policy of the Admin- 
istration, not only in organizing colored regiments and 
rendering them effective, but also in removing prejudice 
against them". 

He warned the Confederate authorities, after the Milli- 
ken's Bend affair," that the same retaliation would be 
inflicted for the mistreatment of colored soldiers and 
their officers, as for wliite soldiers and their officers. 
General Richard Taylor's chivalric reply did him credit 
as a soldier and son of a President of the United States. 
He denounced the act of executing the captured officer 
and his colored soldiers as "disgraceful alike to humanity 
and the reputation of soldiers". No more executions 
occurred, for General Grant's reputation as a commander 
was respected in the Confederacy. 

13 The affair referred to was the alleged hanging of ' a white Union 
Captain and several negroes captured at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, by- 
Confederate troops belonging to Brigadier General R. Taylor's command. 
The charge was denied by General Taylor. — War of the Bebellion: Official 
Eecords, Series I, Vol. XXIV, Pt. 3, pp. 425, 426, 443, 444. 



CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION 169 

Hundreds and hundreds of negroes — men, women and 
shildren, who were born and reared in slavery — fled 
Prom the old plantation homes and were congregated in 
and about the camps, where they constructed and lived 
in rude huts and shanties arranged with some regularity 
and order, but with a total disregard of sanitary condi- 
tions. Their subsistence was mostly furnished by the 
3ommissary department of the army. The young men 
were enlisted in the colored regiments forming in the de- 
partment, while the old men, and the women and children 
w^ere employed at whatever there was to do about the 
3amps. The dawn of freedom was breaking, the glad 
iay of jubilee had arrived, and they were happy. 

The large corral, established near the camp of the regi- 
ment, was the scene of much religious enthusiasm, where 
protracted revival meetings were conducted with fer- 
ment devotion and great sincerity of purjDose. Well 
meaning soldiers attended the meetings and gave them 
sncouragement in their new relations to life and liberty. 

Ignorant as they were, their Christian faith was sub- 
lime and attractive in its simplicity. They firmly be- 
lieved that they were translated from bondage to free- 
iom by the divine interposition of God, and that departed 
friends and relatives would ascend immediately into the 
liappy realms of a never ceasing Heaven of holy bliss and 
g-lorified bodily comforts. The chanting of hymns was 
intensely dramatic in manner and inspiring in its sweet 
melody, and was greatly enjoyed by all lovers of song 
music. 

They were appreciated and universally befriended by 
the soldiers for their devoted and trustful loyalty to the 
Union. Their confidence in the supreme wisdom and di- 
vine goodness of the Union soldier was unbounded. Thev 



170 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

were ever ready and quick to anticipate his slightest 
wants and to perform menial and laborious tasks at his 
mere request. The trusting confidence of the colored 
people was frequently abused by mischievous soldiers 
playing all manner of pranks on them, which caused them 
great annoyance and in some instances much hardship. 

The refugees collected at the Grand Junction camps 
had become so numerous that the authorities arranged to 
move them north and a long train of flat cars was loaded 
with five or six hundred people and all their goods and 
chattels. Having little or no knowledge of military rank 
and recognizing all soldiers as men with authority, they 
obeyed any and all orders with alacrity. Just at the op- 
portune time a soldier, filled with mischief, ordered in a 
commanding tone of voice, ' ' Every one of you people get 
off of these cars this minute, or you will be carried back 
to your old masters in Mississippi". The train was at 
once cleared of every negro and everj^ vestige of plunder. 
A perfect bedlam of confusion reigned until the govern- 
ment agent came to the rescue, when all were reembarked 
and started on their journey north, shouting hosannas of 
great joy. 

President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had 
met with some political opposition throughout the north- 
ern States, but all truly loyal citizens and the soldiers 
accepted the issue and had resolved in a new covenant to 
fight the war to a triumphant victory over slavery and 
rebellion. 

On January 11th, the camp was thrown into great ex- 
citement by an attack on a train a mile north of town. 
The long roll was beat and the troops assembled under 
arms, but no serious damage was done and the enemy 
scampered away. On January 15th, it snowed all day 



CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION . 171 

and all night, covering the ground to a depth of 6 inches. 
On January 24th, the regiment received two months pay. 
January 29th to 31st — being pleasant weather — was 
devoted to company and battalion drills. February 4th, 
large fatigue details were engaged repairing the wagon 
road between Grand Junction and La Grange, when a 
^'gigger" of whiskey was issued to each man. February 
5th, it snowed two inches deep. The whole number in 
the regiment, who reported for duty, were engaged for 
ten days working on Fort Star. February 17th, six com- 
panies made a night foray into the country, captured 
three men of "Bob" Smith's guerrilla band, and returned 
to camp at daylight, the distance traveled being 17 miles. 

Sunday, February 22nd, general inspection was held in 
the morning and at noon a cannon salute of thirty guns 
was fired from Fort Star in honor of Washington's 
birthday. February 23rd to 27th, company and battalion 
drills occupied much time. Five companies went on a 
scout on the 24th, and on the 28th, the regiment was mus- 
tered for pay. From March 2nd to the 6th, company 
and battalion drills were practiced everj^ day, and all the 
troops at the post were reviewed by General Denver, the 
division commander. On March 8th, the left wing, com- 
posed of 5 companies, marched to La Grange and camped, 
while Company I served as provost guard in town. A 
downpour of rain continued for two days and nights, 
without ceasing, flooding the country. March 11th, the 
left wing companies were relieved at La Grange and re- 
turned to their old camp. From the 12th to the 17th, 
every day was occupied with company and battalion drills. 

The morning guard mounts and evening parades held 
by the regiment were daily ceremonies that attracted 
the attention of the whole garrison. The paymaster put 



172 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

in an appearance again on the 18tli and the regiment re- 
ceived two months pay. On the 21st, a train was cap- 
tured three miles north of the Junction, causing the 
troops to form and remain in line until evening, ready to 
give the marauders a warm reception. General J. R. 
Chalmers reported the incident to General J. C. Pember- 
ton, as follows : 

Captains S. G. Street and Wilson with 80 men, made a gal- 
lant dash behind the enemy at Grand Junction; threw a con- 
struction train off the track within 5 miles of the Junction, and 
burned it; captured 16 white prisoners and 16 free Americans 
of African descent. 

For 10 days it rained almost without ceasing, causing 
the most gloomy and disagreeable period of the whole 
winter. On April 2nd, new tents were issued to the regi- 
ment and the camp pitched near Fort Star. 

General Chalmers had command of the mounted forces 
of the enemy hovering about the neighborhood of La 
Grange and the Junction, composed of all the partisan 
bands and detachments of cavalry under Falkner, Guirk 
[Quirk?], Major Chalmers, Blythe, Smith, Street, and 
White, numbering 172 men ready for duty. To oppose 
them was Colonel Grierson's brigade of cavalry at La 
Grange, composed of the 6th and 7th Illinois, and 2nd 
Iowa Cavahy, numbering 2500 men, superbly mounted. 

The troops distributed along the railroad from Mem- 
phis to Corinth were assigned to the protection of West 
Tennessee, the destruction of the enemy under Chalmers, 
and to prevent the raising of a crop in North Mississippi. 

General Hurlbut, commanding the 16th Army Coi^ps, 
opened the spring campaigii by ordering columns to move 
south from Corinth to Pontotoc, La Grange to Oxford, 



CAMP AT GRAND JUNCTION 173 

Memphis to Panola, and a brigade of infantry and artil- 
lery from La Grange and Grand Junction to accompany 
the expedition by follo\ving south on the Mississippi 
Central Railroad — in which order the Grierson raid was 
authorized. April 1st to 5th was a period of rain, block- 
ing all operations, on account of deep mud. 

On the 6th, a salute of thirty guns was fired at Fort 
Star in honor of the first anniversary of the battle of 
Shiloh, when the day's labor was closed with a battalion 
drill. Foraging expeditions to Middletown, Tennessee, 
occupied the next 10 days. The whole regiment was en- 
gaged, all returning to camp on the 16th, when orders 
were received to march the next morning, with 5 days 
rations. The men of the Sixth Iowa entered the spring 
campaign in splendid condition, great enthusiasm and 
hopeful anticipations of many victories, for the year. 

The winter encampment at the Junction was not entire- 
ly devoid of interest and pleasure ; but, on the part of 
many it was rather the contrarj^ The general health of 
the troops was good, as compared with the preceding win- 
ter in Missouri. Many found time and pleasure in read- 
ing the newspapers and all the books they could purchase, 
procure from home, or borrow from obliging citizens in 
the vicinity. 

Many interesting and descriptive letters were written 
by members of the regiment to their friends and relatives 
at home. 

The following extracts are taken from a brother's let- 
ter to his sister, dated February 12, 1863, which is de- 
scriptive of the situation and reflects the true soldier 
sentiment at that time : 

As often as I have written to you since we arrived in true 
"Dixie", I have never written of this famous countrv. How- 



174 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ever, one that has read as much as you, must surely have formed 
an idea of what it is. I know I had, and a pretty good one too. 
The name it bears, does it no more than justice ; it is the beauti- 
ful "sunny south". We are now living in the most beautiful 
portion of Tennessee. The land is good, though the soil is not 
deep. An Illinois farmer coming here would hardly think of 
trying to raise a crop on such soil as this. Yet, it is such, that 
it will produce the best of corn or wheat ; but is better adapted 
to the growing of cotton. Farming is carried on entirely differ- 
ent, than at the North. Instead of the beautiful little farms 
and houses every quarter or half mile along the roads, you see 
the large plantation and mansion. You might travel for half a 
day and see nothing but one continuous cotton-field, with not a 
sign of a house; but, after awhile comes to your sight that 
strange building — the Cotton Gin and Press. They all look 
alike, except that some are new and some are old and dilapidate 
ed. You pass by this and into the evergreen timber and sudden- 
ly, as if by magic, looms up a beautiful and grand old mansion, 
or Hall, as they fancy to call them. One unacquainted with 
them would think he had surely found some State House or 
College — so grand and handsomely carved are its pillars. 
Their inhabitants are so desirous of making the world believe 
they are the descendants of some nobility, that they cause to be 
erected these stately houses of ancient pattern. To them it 
would be low and degrading to live in a house of "Yankee 
Style ' '. May God have mercy on their poor Souls ! There is a 
similarity in all Southern houses; no matter how poor the man 
may be, if he erects a house, must have those columns, which 
invariably cost quite as much as all the rest of the building. 
Many a time have I seen a beautiful palace tottering under the 
"power" of some "Yankee Soldier" — he having set fire to it! 
While on our retreat from Mississippi — to every one of those 
houses left standing, we would see the lone blackened chimneys 
(" Jennison Monuments", as the soldiers call them) of two that 
had been burned ! 



CAMP AT GKAND JUNCTION 175 

In front of these planters' houses are beautiful lawns of five 
or six acres, covered with the most lovely shrubbery peculiar to 
the South, and shell or gravel walks winding round and round 
until they reach the house. They look quite as lovely in the 
dead of winter as any we see north in mid-summer. I imagine 
should I have come down here before the war, I would have been 
enchanted by these bewitching scenes and would have loitered 
in some of these parks, some warm summer day and met one of 
these lovely Southern Belles — declared my love — asked her 
hand — been accepted ! The result would have been disappoint- 
ment, estrangement, and separation, with love unworthy a son of 
the North-land. Even now as I am writing, my friend and mess- 
mate, is running his fingers nervously through his hair as if to 
collect his thoughts, that his letter may strike with double force 
one of these identical young ladies, I have just mentioned. 

I have given you the bright side of this picture. Now come 
with me to the other side of this Hall and see the sight that 
casts a deep gloom over all the first. Were it not for this, I 
would make this country my future home. See those long rows 
of miserable little log huts. Let us step in and notice their oc- 
cupants. Each little house is filled with negroes — poor miser- 
able creatures, surrounded with dirt and filth. An Iowa farm- 
er keeps his hogs in a more comfortable pen and feeds them 
better. They are densely ignorant, know nothing but to pluck 
cotton from the stalk. They are not all black, and it seems a 
pity to keep that white girl penned up with those blacks, but 
while she is white, yet she has a drop of negro blood in her 
veins, and that makes her a slave ! In my sight that is the worst 
feature in slavery. I do not want the negroes turned loose in the 
United States, yet I want them freed and enlightened. Let 
them be colonized. 

On March 31st, General Halleck, at Washington, writ- 
ing to General Grant in the vicinity of Vicksburg, said: 

It is the policy of the Government to withdraw from the 



176 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

enemy as much productive labor as possible. . . . Every 
slave withdrawn from the enemy is equivalent to a white man 
put hors de combat. ... It is the policy of the Govern- 
ment to use the negroes of the South, as far as practicable, as a 
military force, for the defense of forts, depots. ... In the 
hands of the enemy, they are used with much effect against us ; 
in our hands, we must try to use them with the best possible 
effect against the enemy. . . . The character of the war has 
very much changed within the last year. . . . There can be 
no peace but that which is forced by the sword. . . . This 
is the phase which the rebellion has now assumed. . . . The 
Government, looking at the subject in all its aspects, has adopt- 
ed a policy, and we must cheerfully and faithfully carry out 
that policy. 

On April 19th, General Grant replied : 

You may rely on me carrying out any policy ordered by prop- 
er authority to the best of my ability. 



XII 

RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 

rhe spring campaign, in contemplation for the past thirty 
iays, was actively inaugurated on April 17, 1863, by a 
3oncerted movement from the line of the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad, between Corinth and Memphis, 
iown into North Mississippi. A brigade of infantry and 
1 large force of cavalry, commanded by General Lauman, 
started from Memphis for Hernando and the Coldwater 
country. A brigade of cavalry from Corinth marched 
south along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Grierson's 
brigade of cavalry composed of the 6th and 7th Illinois 
and 2nd Iowa Cavalry, and a battery of field artillery, 
from La Grange was designated as the raiding column. 

An infantry brigade, composed of the 46th Ohio, 99th 
Indiana, 5 companies of the 103rd Illinois, 8 companies 
3f the 6th Iowa, and a section of the Chicago battery, and 
commanded by Brigadier-General William Sooy Smith, 
the new division commander, started from Grand Junc- 
tion on board three trains of cars on the Mississippi Cen- 
tral. The troops had five days rations of crackers, coffee, 
sugar, and salt, in haversacks, and all were in light march- 
ing order. Each man was required to carry his gun, 
cartridge box and 40 rounds of ammunition, haversack, 
and gum and woolen blankets rolled together and carried 
over the shoulders in shot-pouch fashion. 

At an early hour all the commands and detachments 
were assembled and loaded on the cars, when the trains 
started south, intending to repair the road as they pro- 

177 



178 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

gressed. The 40th IlUnois had been stationed in mnter 
quarters at Davis' Mills, 6 niiles south of the Junction, 
where the trains stopped and it was taken on board as a 
part of the expedition. The progress made was very 
slow on account of burned bridges and washouts in the 
track, which were temporarily repaired so that the trains 
could cross over. The material in large quantities for 
repairing the bridges had been prepared and was carried 
along on the trains. It was the intention to open the 
road to the Tallahatchie River, but a bridge near Lamar 
station had been almost entirely destroyed, which not 
only occupied several hours to repair and rebuild, but 
consumed all the material at hand for that purpose. 

The 6th Iowa was advanced on foot to the next large 
bridge, spanning the Coldwater Creek, where it arrived 
at sundown and found the bridge badly wrecked by re- 
cent high water. Captain Bashore, with his Company D, 
was sent forward to the high ground south of the creek, 
as the advance picket guard for the night. At the hour 
of midnight, when all except those on guard were sleep- 
ing soundly, wrapped in their army blankets — the earth 
for a bed and the sky for a roof — the night challenge, 
"Halt! Who goes there!", rang out clear and thrilling 
in the night air, from the outpost on the wagon road lead- 
ing south towards Holley Springs, followed immediately 
by two shots fired in quick succession by the sentinels on 
that post. The shrill notes of the bugle sounding the 
''assembly", the beating of the ''long roll" on the drums, 
the clear distinct commands by Colonel Corse to "fall 
in", aroused the troops from their deep slumbers, created 
great enthusiasm, and inspired the men with confidence 
and courage. In fact in the short space of a minute or 
two the regiment was formed in line and ready for action. 



RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 179 

Three more shots were fired by the enemy at the picket 
aards, the balls passing over their heads into the 
ranches of the trees. These shots were responded to by 
volley of 20 rifles fired at the flash of their giins, when 
olonel Corse 's voice rang out again with thrilling effect, 
That's the kind of music we like to hear". The sound 
P cavalry retreating down the HoUey Springs wagon 
)ad was the last heard of the venturesome scouts. No 
amage was done to either side, but the incident served 
> show the spirit and courage of the men and their re- 
ability to stand firm even when awakened from sound 
eep in the middle of the night. 

The next morning the trains were abandoned and the 
)mmand proceeded on foot, passing through the black- 
led and ruined city of Holley Springs, where had been 
ich a wealth of beauty and comfort on a former visit, 
uly 3, 1862. 

The advance scouts captured a man and his team on 
le outskirts of town, his wagon loaded with fine hams 
tid shoulder bacon, with which he was making vigorous 
^orts to escape. The capture was opportune and sup- 
lied the command with meat for a day. The camp was 
itched for the night at Lumpkin's Mill, 12 miles south 
P Holley Springs. It commenced raining soon after 
ark and continued through the night, so that none slept 
ad all were drenched to the skin in the morning. At the 
reak of day, the column was on the march, despite the 
lin and mud, and at noon the artillery with the ad- 
ance guard opened fire on scouting parties of the ene- 
ly's cavalry, who were hovering around the flanks and 
le advance guard of the column. The Sixth Iowa was 
Quble-quicked to the front, but the foe had fled. 

The column arrived at Wyatt, on the Tallahatchie 



180 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Eiver before night, where the 40th Illinois fired a few- 
shots at. the enemy's pickets on the opposite side of the : 
river. Thereupon they fled precipitately, leaving every- 
thing except their horses and guns. Among the things ' 
abandoned. Dr. Shaw secured a convenient spring wagon ' 
to which he hitched two mules and thereby created a reg- 
imental ambulance corps. The column marched out on 
the Panora road a mile or two and camped for the night, 
the distance traveled during the day being 20 miles. 

It was known that General William Sooy Smith had 
come to his new command from the Army of the Cumber- 
land, where he commanded a division of infantry, and 
during the first days of the campaign he was subject to 
the critical test always made of a new commander. But 
his unassuming manner and quick perception of passing 
events and more than all else, his presence with the head 
of the column and always at the point of danger w^on the 
confidence of all. His care for the comfort and conven- 
ience of the troops w^hen selecting camps for the night, a 
systematic and orderly posting of the camp and picket 
guards with explicit instructions as to their duties and 
the situation for the night established confidence in his 
ability and courage as a commanding officer. 

On April 20th, the command was up before daylight 
and had marched several miles before sun up. Camp was 
made for the night 10 miles from Panora, after a distance 
of 22 miles had been marched. The country traveled 
through, bordering on the Tallahatchie River, was rich 
in horses, mules, hams, meal, and negroes, so essential 
to the use and comfort of weary soldiers, and the loss of 
which was correspondingly damaging to the enemy. The 
captures during the day were the richest secured on the 
expedition. 



EAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 181 

The night's rest was disturbed by an ambuscade move- 
lent made before daylight in anticipation of an early 
lorning attack by the enemy, supposed to be in large 
Dree at Panora. At 3 o'clock a. m., the command was 
roused from their deep slumbers, without the sound of 
ugle or drums, built huge camp fires and then silently 
larched away to a position commanding an unobstruct- 
i view of the abandoned camp and fires. It was contem- 
lated that the enemy would assail the camp fires in a 
reak of day attack and while in their bewilderment at 
nding the camp abandoned the command would make a 
3unter-attack, hoping to punish them severely, regard- 
iss of their numbers. 

Daybreak came but no enemy appeared, so the com- 
land marched 8 miles and halted for breakfast, then 
larched 12 miles and halted for dinner, on the west side 
f the Memphis and Grenada Railroad. In the after- 
oon, the march was continued north through the pretty 
ttle town of Senatobia and camp was pitched for the 
Lght at Coldwater station. The distance marched dur- 
ig the day was 31 miles. 

The rapid movement of General Smith's infantry 
)lumn to the interior and far south of the forces under 
eneral Chalmers, who was successfully defending the 
ne of the Coldwater River against the advance of the 
[emphis column, caused Chalmers to abandon the posi- 
on and fall back to the south side of the Tallahatchie, 
t Panola. The rear guard of the fleeing enemy had just 
assed south along the railroad when General Smith's 
ivance struck it in the forenoon. 

On April 22nd, the command was up and on the road 
: sunrise, the men bright and ''chipper", despite the 31 
ales covered the day before. The recent camping 



182 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ground of the enemy was passed over during the morn- 
ing and many relics were secured, including a rich and 
handsomely made Confederate flag, by Corporal M. "Wes- 
tenhaver of Company D. A distance of 25 miles was 
marched and camp was made on Pigeon Roost Creek. 

At the rising of the sun on the 23rd, the command was 
up and marching, the Sixth Iowa in the lead. Cold wat- 
er River was crossed at noon, when each regiment and 
detachment was ordered to proceed by the nearest route 
to their respective camps on the line of the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad. Mounted on captured horses and 
mules, numerous squads were diligent in scouting on the 
flanks of the column, gathering forage, mules, horses, and 
negroes. While thus engaged, many spirited engage- 
ments occurred, but these were attended with the slight 
loss. Private John A. Jones, Company D, was mortally 
wounded in one of the engagements during the day, and 
died a few days later at a farm house, where he had kind- 
ly care and was buried by the hospitable people. The 
troops marched 20 miles and camped near Mount Pleas- 
ant. 

On April 24th, in a heavy downpour of rain, the march 
was continued to Moscow, a distance of 16 miles, where 
the regiment arrived at noon. Colonel Joseph R. Cock- 
erill, who with his 70th Ohio occupied the station, was 
quick to perceive the wants of the tired and hungry men, 
and, at once issued a large ration of crackers, meat, coffee, 
sugar, and, best of all — under the circumstances — a fuU 
''gigger" of commissary whiskey to each man. An hour 
was spent in preparing and eating dimier, and when 
the regiment was formed in line. Colonel Corse proposed 
three cheers for the generous hospitality of Colonel 
Cockerill, and they were given with a will. 



RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 183 

The 120 mounted men were ordered to proceed by the 
vagon road to Grand Junction, and while the rest of the 
'egiment was still in line Colonel Corse said: ''Those 
v^ho feel that they are not able to march the rest of the 
listance to camp step four paces to the front". The 
)roposition plainly indicated a ride on the cars for the 
leven miles yet to camp, and two officers and several 
Qen stepped out. Colonel Corse had faith to believe that 
Lot a man in the regiment would accept the tempting 
ffer, even under the trying circumstances. The result 
exasperated him that he ordered the unfortunates to 
le put in line and marched to camp if it took three days 

perform the task. The rest of the regiment marched 
Q single file on the railroad track, making the first 5 
liles in an hour and fifteen minutes, when a passing 
reight train was stopped, all were taken on board and 
rere soon flying toward camp, where they arrived before 
undown. The distance for the day was 27 miles. The 
lounted detachment arrived at camp during the evening 
nd the ''cripple" squad the next morning. 

The prime object of the expeditions had been to occupy 
le Confederate forces in North Mississippi, until Colonel 
■rierson could get far down in the State on his raid to 
reak up the railroads in the rear of Vicksburg. This 
as successfully accomplished by the 6th and 7th Illinois 
Cavalry, who finally arrived on the lower Mississippi at 
aton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. 

Under the influence of the warm and genial sunshine 
P the early spring days all nature seemed to be striving 

1 putting forth its green foliage and budding vegeta- 
on to cover over the scars and repair the waste places 
msed by cruel war. The air was filled with the sweet 
erfume of fruit and ornamental blossoms, and the for- 



184 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ests were ringing with the melody of myriads of song 
birds, and, while all nature seemed ready and tempting 
to bless and prosper toiling hands, it was all to be marred 
and wasted by the acts of an enraged people engaged in a 
great and bloody Civil War, never surpassed in magni- 
tude in the history of the world. 

The troops remained idle in their camps, taking a much 
needed rest, after the eight days arduous campaigning. 
A large accumulation of mail was distributed, and many 
letters and papers were received from home and friends. 
Anticipating an early call into active campaigning again, 
every one was engaged at writing letters and reading 
the news from other fields of operations in the great 
drama of war. 

Orders were published announcing the Second Brigade 
reorganized so as to include the 40th and 103rd Illinois, 
6th Iowa, and 46th Ohio, with Colonel S. G. Hicks com- 
manding. It was assigned to the First Division of the 
16th Army Corps, commanded by Generals William Sooy 
Smith and S. A. Hurlbut, respectively. The other three 
brigades composing the division were stationed at Mos- 
cow, Collierville, and Germantown, on the railroad to- 
wards Memphis. The aggregate present for duty was 
8928 men, and six batteries of artillery, with 26 guns. 

On the 27th of April, the regiment was designated by 
General Hurlbut to serve as mounted infantry, and it 
was ordered that the mules and horses captured from the 
enemy during the recent raid should be used for that 
purpose. During the day each man in the regiment able 
for duty was provided with a beast, and then the task of 
breaking them to the service commenced in earnest. 
There were many serious hurts and bruises sustained by 
both the men and the mules during the process of lasso- 



RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 185 

iig and breaking the wild herd to the new service. All 
7ere delighted with the idea of being mounted and asso- 
iated with the cavalry arm of the service. The next day 
addles and full horse equipment were issued, after which 
ompany and battalion drills were the order during the 
ay, with a mounted dress parade in the evening, and 
larching orders for an early hour the next day. 

At 4 a. m., April 29th, the regiment, mounted and 
quipped, joined the brigade of Colonel Edward Hatch, 
^'his brigade was composed of the 2nd Iowa, 4th Illinois 
nd [80 men of the] West Tennessee Cavalry, and four 
Bn-pounder pieces of artillery, making an effective force 
f 1300 men. It was to proceed against the forces of 
reneral Chalmers concentrating at New Albany and Pon- 
atoc to intercept the return of Colonel Grierson, as they 
apposed. The column marched 36 miles and camped 
ne mile south of Ripley. During all the campaigning 
n foot — with blistered feet, heavy knapsacks, through 
eat and dust, rain and mud — nothing could compare 
ath the distressed condition of the men in the Sixth Iowa 
t the end of their first days march as mounted infantry, 
'hey w^ere bruised and sore from head to foot, so that 
either sitting nor lying down was any relief to their 
oor maimed and stiffened bodies. 

General Chalmers with a force of 1500 mounted men 
isputed the crossing of the Tallahatchie, on the road 
wading to Albany, but the column succeeded in crossing 
t Lee's Mill, after slight resistance, and proceeded 20 
liles in the direction of Okolona and camped for the 
ight. On the 1st day of May the column pushed rapidly 
)wards Okolona, skirmishing with the enemy during the 
ay and capturing a few prisoners. Camp was pitched 
ear Tupelo on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad at Pleasant 



186 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Valley, after a distance of 26 miles had been marched, i 
The troops broke camp at 4 a. m. and marched to the Chi- 
wapa River, six miles from Okolona. The river was 
impassable on account of high water and destroyed i 
bridges, so the column changed direction to the west and 
went into camp, having marched all day in a steady do^vn- 
pour of rain. Hoping to strike the force of General 
Chalmers, at Pontotoc, the march was resumed at dark in 
the direction of that place, through a drenching rain 
storm, when it was learned that the enemy had taken 
flight for Grenada, and the column halted in the road> 
The distance marched during the day was 30 miles. 

In the morning at 5 o'clock, May 3rd, the column con- 
tinued the march through New Albany, forded the Talla- 
hatchie, and went into camp for the night on the north i 
side, the distance traveled being 18 miles. The rear ■ 
guard had lively skirmishing with the pursuing force of 
the enemy during the day, and at the crossing of the river. 
May 4th, the troops began to march at 4 a. m., traveled 
15 miles and camped 2 miles south of Ripley, at 3 p. m. 
May 5th, the march began at 4 a. m., and camp was 
reached at La Grange at 7 p. m., the distance for the day 
being 38 miles. The trophies of the expedition were 400 
head of captured stock and 20 prisoners. The informa- 
tion that Colonel Grierson had gone through on his raid 
had also been obtained, and General Chalmers and his 
force had been chased back to Grenada. 

Five days were spent in camp recuperating and learn- 
ing the cavalry drill. On the 9th of May, the regiment 
received two months pay and on the next day received 
marching orders for the following morning. It was 
known that General Chalmers was at Panola, south of 
the Tallahatchie, mth his main force and that he had de- 



RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 187 

tachments and partisan companies along the Coldwater 
River, so, pursuant to orders, Colonel Hatch moved south 
from La Grange at daylight. May 11th, with the 2nd Iowa 
Cavalry", 6th Iowa Mounted Infantry and three two- 
pounders of the First Illinois Artillery — 1000 men in 
all. Major A. H. Chalmers, mth his battalion of Missis- 
sippi cavalry, guarding the Coldwater crossing, was 
speedily routed by the advance guard which captured 
three prisoners. The column then passed through Early 
Grove and Mount Pleasant, and camped 5 miles west of 
Holley Springs, having gone a distance of 30 miles. On 
the next day the troops passed through Tallaloosa, Wall- 
hill, and camped at Looxahoma, the distance for the day 
being 30 miles. 

On May 13th, the column moved rapidly to Senatobia, 
routed a company of the enemy, and captured six prison- 
ers besides the telegraph operator at the station. The 
command marched south to the neighborhood of Sardis, 
near Panola and, no enemy being found, it was broken 
up into small detachments which were dispatched in all 
directions to capture mules and horses. These returned 
before night with 600 animals. Then the return march 
was taken up and the command camped 7 miles north of 
Senatobia, on Jim WoLf Creek. 

The proverbial "just before daylight attack" was made 
on the outposts by the enemy the next morning, mth the 
intention of surprising the camp, but they were hand- 
somely repulsed by the picket guards. At daylight, when 
the column was moving out of camp to continue the 
march, a more spirited attack was made with small arms 
and artillery, causing great confusion among the cap- 
tured mules and horses being led by negroes. The rear 
guard was promptly reenforced and checked the attack. 



188 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The movement north was continued and the enemy pur- 
sued sharply with a large force of cavalry and artillery, 
shelling the column furiously, causing a great disorder 
and consternation among the mules and refugees. 

While the column was temporarily checked at the cross- 
ing of a stream at Wallhill the enemy appeared in large 
force and with three pieces of artillery began shelling 
the command, which created a stampede among the cap- 
tured stock and negroes. A portion of the command was 
assigned to the task of getting the herd of stock and led 
horses across the creek, while the rest were dismounted 
and moved rapidly to the rear to fight. The two-pound- 
ers opened on the enemy's guns and the skirmishers were 
pushed up onto the high ground, when the engagement 
became spirited. The action continued for an hour, the 
enemy appearing in large force about the buildings in 
the little hamlet of Wallliill, where they planted their 
guns and shelled the lane in the creek bottom that was 
filled with stock and negroes struggling to cross. This 
caused the mldest consternation, and some loss of stock, 
while some of the refugees were wounded. 

The men and officers of both regiments exhibited great 
enthusiasm and the prompt action of the Sixth Iowa — 
with their colors flying — drew hearty cheers from the 
men of the Second Iowa Cavalry. AVlien all the led 
horses of the dismounted men in the fighting line, the 
refugee negroes and their herd of animals were across 
the creek, safe from the enemy's shells, the line was with- 
drawn and crossed to the north side out of range. The 
enemy declined the gage of battle so gallantly offered by 
Colonel Hatch and Colonel Corse, with their small com- 
mand. Color-Sergeant Roberts and his guard per- 
formed a daring act, keeping up a bold deception of force, 



RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 189 

while the lines were being withdrawn across the 
stream. When all were safely across he and his guard 
made a dash for the bridge and crossed amid a storm of 
bullets and shells from the enemy, and hearty cheers from 
both regiments. The attack was not renewed and the 
column moved rapidly to the Coldwater and camped, 
the distance marched during the day being 40 miles. 

The extreme heat and almost suffocating dust caused 
intense suffering among the troops and animals, and 
especially among the colored people, who were leading 
the captured stock. They were a motley cavalcade of ne- 
groes and mules, the men and women all mounted astride 
the bareback mules, with great bundles of personal effects 
that they were clinging to like grim-death. During the 
night many of the negroes, from fear that the camp would 
be shelled again, escaped mth their mules, some return- 
ing south and others pushing north to the Union lines. 

On May 15th, the column marched 15 miles to the camp 
at La Grange, by 10 o'clock in the forenoon, having 
marched in all 160 miles and captured 600 mules and 
horses. The casualties had been slight — 2 men missing 
and 2 wounded. 

A supply of new clothing was issued to the regiment 
and the next five days in camp were occupied Avith in- 
spection, battalion drills, parades and reviews, amid al- 
most intolerable heat and stifling dust. Marching orders 
were then received to proceed on a five days scout, down 
in the enemy's countr\^ 

Each day while in camp a company had been detailed 
from the regiment to patrol the roads leading south. 
Some exciting chases after roving bands of partisans and 
sharp engagements occurred, with losses on both sides. 

On May 21st, at 4 a. m.. Colonel Hatch broke camp 



190 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

with his command to execute the orders of General Hurl- 
but, directing him to beat up and disperse the force of 
General Chalmers, capture stock and negroes, and destroy 
the crops in the Tallahatcliie country. The column 
passed through Early Grove and Mount Pleasant, and 
camped at Byhalia, where the column joined the brigade, 
commanded by Colonel L. F. McCrillis, he having driven 
the enemy out of the to^vn. Much valuable property was 
burned and destroyed in the town by those who first en- 
tered the place and Colonel Hatch was very indignant at 
the wanton destruction of private property. 

On May 22nd, the march was continued to the south, the 
enemy in considerable force disputing the ground steadi- 
ly all day, doing no damage, except occasionally killing a 
horse. Camp was pitched at night on Jim Wolf Creek. At 
daylight on the 23rd, the enemy assailed the pickets mth 
great spirit, so both brigades were formed in battle array 
and the enemy driven away. The column resumed the 
march at an early hour in the direction of Looxahoma, 
skirmishing to and through the town. The enemy was 
found in strong force in the swamps along Senatobia 
Creek, where the cavalry engaged them and after a sharp 
skirmish they broke and fled to Panola and west towards 
the Mississippi River. 

The column moved forward and entered the to^vii of 
Senatobia, which a few minutes afterwards was fired on 
the windward side. By great exertion, on the part of a 
large number of well disposed men in command, a por- 
tion of the store buildings were saved and all of the dwell- 
ing houses. The buildings destroyed had been abandon- 
ed for months by their owners. The fire was supposed 
to have been set by a company of citizen scouts, tempor- 
arily attached to the command. The whole section of rich 



RAIDS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI 191 

farming neighborhoods about Senatobia was scouted 
luring the day, gathering in the mules, horses, and ne- 
3Toes. The next day a portion of the regiments was 
sent 10 miles north, with the artillery, to Coldwater sta- 
tion, while the rest continued to pick up stock and ne- 
groes, and in the evening the whole command crossed 
the Coldwater River at Coldwater Depot, and camped on 
the plantation of Dr. Atkins, 4 miles south of Hernando. 

On May 25th, each command was sent by different 
routes to their respective camps along the railroad. The 
Sixth Iowa passed through the country town of Heman- 
io and camped on the Widow Ward's plantation, 10 miles 
south of Germantown. The next day it passed through 
Sand Hill, ate dinner at Collierville, and camped for the 
light at Moscow, where a whiskey "gigger" was again 
issued to the men, to the great satisfaction of all. On 
May 27th, the regiment marched 10 miles to the camp at 
La Grange, where all were glad to have the opportunity 
to wash and get cleaned up after the long siege of heat 
md dust. The campaign had proved equally as fruitful 
IS former campaigns and it was evident that the enemy's 
strength and resources in North Mississippi were crushed 
md destroyed. 

Eegardless of the extreme heat, the daily battalion 
irills and ceremonies were kept up until June 4th, when 
the regiment turned in, to the Post Quartermaster, all 
:he cavalry equipment and, on the 5th, turned in the mules 
md horses. This was the end of the mounted service, 
but not many regrets were expressed by the officers and 
men in the regiment. 

General Chalmers in a communication to General John- 
ston, at Jackson, gave a vivid description of the situ- 
ation in North Mississippi, as follows : 



192 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

I do not know what the exigencies of the service are else- 
where, but it is evident that the main effort of the enemy now 
is to starve us, and in their late raids here they have stolen 
every horse and mule they could catch, and if this country is 
not protected the greater portion of subsistence in Mississippi 
will be destroyed. 

Considering the character of the service, the losses had 
been exceedingly light. The capture of Lieutenant John 
L. Cook of Company K, and six men near Looxahoma, 
on May 13th, who were carried off to southern prisons, 
was the most serious loss sustained. The officers and 
men of the regiment had formed a most cordial and 
friendly attachment for the members of the 2nd Iowa 
Cavalry during their short association, and the only re- 
gret at parting with the mules was the separation from 
the gallant soldiers of that command. 

A 2nd Iowa cavalryman is at his best, when relating 
the incident of a dress parade had by the Sixth, while 
mounted on the mules at La Grange, Tennessee. The 
climax of the ceremony came after Colonel Corse's order 
to present arms, when, in less than a second, the whole 
command was Jiors de combat. 



XIII 

VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 

The campaign for the reduction of Vicksburg was ac- 
tively inaugurated in the latter part of April, 1863, by 
General U. S. Grant, who had assumed the command of 
all the forces operating on the Mississippi River. The 
flank movement with his whole army ; running the batter- 
ies with the gunboats and his fleet of transports ; cross- 
ing the army to the east side of the river below the city ; 
cutting loose from his communications and fighting a 
series of successful battles; capturing the city of Jack- 
son, the capital of the State of Mississippi ; and, on May 
21st, closing in upon General Pemberton's Confederate 
army in Vicksburg, the great Gibraltar of the Mississippi 
Valley, had consumed less than a month, and the regular 
siege was begun. 

In the distressed condition of affairs. General Joseph 
E. Johnston began the collection of a formidable army at 
Jackson to raise the siege and relieve General Pember- 
ton's army cooped up in the Vicksburg fortifications, 
the plan being to attack General Grant's investing forces 
in the rear, from the line of the Big Black River. This 
was the pressing situation, June 1st, when reenf orcements 
were called for to oppose the new element of danger to 
General Grant 's heroic army. 

The division of Brigadier-General William Sooy Smith, 
composed of 14 regiments of infantry and 4 batteries of 
field artillery, organized into four brigades, and number- 

193 



194 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ing 7581 effective men and 16 guns,'* stationed along the 
line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, was or- 
dered to assemble in the city of Memphis and from there 
proceed by steamboats down the river to Vicksburg. 

The division was organized for the campaign as fol- 
lows: First Brigade, 26th and 90th Illinois, 12th and 
100th Indiana, Colonel John M. Loomis commanding: 
Second Brigade, 40th and 103rd Illinois, 15th Michigan, 
and 46th Ohio, Colonel S. G. Hicks commanding; Third 
Brigade, 97th and 99th Indiana, 53rd and 70th Ohio, 
Colonel Joseph R. Cockerill commanding; Fourth Bri- 
gade, 48th Illinois and 6th Iowa, Colonel William W. San- 
ford commanding and Captain William Cogswell com- 
manding the 4 batteries of artillery. 

On June 5th, the tents were struck and all camp and 
garrison equipage loaded upon the army wagons, which 
were started overland for Memphis. The regiment 
marched to the depot in La Grange the next morning at 
8 a. m., embarked at 2 p. m. on the cars, started for Mem- 
phis at dark and arrived in the city at 9 p. m., where the 
camp was pitched for the night on the east edge of town. 
On June 7th, the regiment marched through the city to 
the levee and was embarked on board the fine large river 
steamer "Henry Von Phool", at 9 a. m. The wagon 
trains arrived during the afternoon, and were embarked 
with the regiment. It rained very hard all the next day, 
while the fleet remained tied up at the levee. Com- 
panies A and I were transferred during the day to the 
steamer ''New Kentucky". 

The scene presented at the levee was grand and inspir- 
it The official return, dated May 31, 1863, credits this command with an 
aggregate of 8796 men present and 26 pieces of field artillery. — War of the 
Mehellion: Official Eecords, Series I, Vol. XXIV, Pt. 3, p. 371. 



VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 195 

iijg. The shore was lined with large river steamers load- 
ed with troops and araiy equipment, gmiboats were ply- 
ing up and douTi the river, and bells were ringing, 
whistles blowdng, bands playing, and soldiers cheering. 

Passes were liberally granted to visit familiar scenes 
and friends in the city, but those were fortunate who se- 
cured a leave good to attend the evening entertainment 
at the old Memphis Theatre, 

June 9th, at 2 p, m., all the boats laden with the divis- 
ion s^vung out into the current of the great river amid 
the uproar of clanging bells, screeching whistles, bands 
playing, and the shouts of the stalwart soldiers ringing 
out above the mighty din and noise of all. The fleet 
steamed down the river and formed in column according 
to the rank and position of the commands on the boats. 
They arrived at Helena, Arkansas, at 9 p. m., and tied up 
for the night. The fleet passed down by the old town of 
Napoleon and tied up for the night again at Lake Provi- 
dence. The rain, which had begun the previous night, 
continued without abatement. On June 11th, the camps 
at Milliken's Bend and Young's Point w^ere passed and 
the whole fleet passed into the Yazoo Eiver, and the di- 
vision was disembarked at Snyder's Bluff. 

The heavy cannonading going on at the siege around 
Vicksburg was heard during the day, while the whole 
scene and surroundings gave striking evidence of grim 
war. The regiment went into camp on the high bluff ov- 
erlooking the sluggish Yazoo River and the great swamps 
and lagoons tributary to it. The river strikes the bluff 
at Snyder's and then turns almost abruptly westward 
for some distance, thence southward to the Mississippi 
River. 

From Vicksburg to Snyder's, a distance of 12 miles, is 



196 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

a line of abrupt hills, commanding the Yazoo Valley, 
which had been fortified by the Confederates to resist 
General Sherman's attack in December. They had also 
constructed batteries of great strength for heavy guns 
on the bluff commanding a long sweep of the river. 
Just above the frowning batteries was a soUdly construct- 
ed boom or raft of huge logs, completely blockading the 
stream against the passage of steamers and gunboats. 
The country lying back of the bluffs is a series of high 
hills, intersected by deep and narrow ravines, all covered 
with a dense undergrowth of cane, and heavily timbered, 
from whose huge spreading branches drooped the ever 
pendent moss, and whose trunks were covered with 
clinging vines, all forming a luxuriant growth of a nature 
peculiar only to tropical climates. 

The regiment occupied recent camping grounds of the 
3rd Louisiana, an organization composed of the sons of 
wealthy planters in the Red River country, who had won 
great distinction at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge, and 
later at luka and Corinth. They had erected artistic and 
comfortable quarters, gathering about them many of 
those little conveniences which become actual luxuries 
to the soldier after a two years service in the field. 

On July 12th, camp was moved half a mile and the con- 
struction of a line of fortifications was commenced, guard- 
ing against an attack from the rear by land forces. The 
work was continued every day, causing great prostration 
among the men on account of the extreme hot weather, 
until the 15th, when the camp was moved up the river 
one mile. During the night, the heated atmosphere was 
cooled by a refreshing shower of rain. There was a 
heavy rainfall during the afternoon, on the 16th, drench- 
ing everything thoroughly. 



VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 197 

The labors continued, alternating between working on 
le fortifications and drilling, until the 23rd, when the 
•oops marched out, leaving the tents standing and also 
laving behind the knapsacks and all heavy camp and 
irrison equipment. Camp was pitched on the Adams 
lantation at Oak Eidge, 9 miles from the bluffs, and the 
'oops were employed blocking the wagon roads with 
^lled timber, doing picket guard duty, and scouting to 
le front towards the Big Black River and out on the 
azoo road. They secured an abundance of blackberries, 
eaches, apples, figs, and green corn. General Sherman 
as placed in conunand of the forces guarding the rear 
t Black River, where he was received with wild demon- 
irations of joy by his old conunand. 

On July 3rd, the word was passed around the camps 
lat Vicksburg had surrendered, which was hailed by the 
'oops with great rejoicing. This information was pre- 
lature, but on Saturday, July 4, 1863, the surrender took 
lace. The garrison marched out, stacked arms, and re- 
imed within their lines, and General Grant, with his 
ictorious army, marched in and occupied the city and 
le forts. Everyone from General Sherman down to the 
umblest private in the ranks of his army, gave full vent 
) their joy. 

In the exuberance of his joy. General Sherman penned 

note to General Grant, saying : ' ' Surely will I not pun- 
ih any soldier for being 'unco happy' this most glorious 
nniversary of the birth of a nation, whose sire and 
ather was a Washington". At the same time he wrote 
3 Admiral Porter, thus : 

In so magnificent a result I stop not to count who did it. It 
i done, and the day of our nations birth is consecrated and 



198 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

baptized anew in a victory won by the united Navy and Armj 
of our country. , . . Thus I muse as I sit in my solitarj 
camp out in the woods, far from the point for which we hav( 
jointly striven so long and so well, and though personal curios 
ity would tempt me to go and see the frowning batteries and 
sunken pits that have defied us so long, and sent to theii 
silent graves so many of our early comrades in the enterprise, ] 
feel that other tasks lie before me and time must not be lost, 
Without casting anchor, and despite the heat and dust and the 
drought, I must again go into the bowels of the land, to make 
the conquest of Vicksburg fulfill all the conditions it should ir 
the progress of this war. Whether success attend my efforts oi 
not, I know that Admiral Porter will ever accord to me the ex- 
hibition of a pure and unselfish zeal in the service of our coun 
try. 

For the moment the magnitude of the victory, which 
culminated in the surrender of Vicksburg, could hardly 
be comprehended by the victors ; neither could the surren- 
dered Confederates at first fully realize the overwhelm- 
ing disaster that had befallen them. Taken in connec- 
tion with the decisive victories won at Gettysburg and 
Helena, at the same time, all felt that the day of jubilee 
and for great rejoicing had surely come to the tired and 
patient troops. They had, with tireless energy, with 
sleepless vigilance by night and by day, with rifle and 
battery, in rifle-pits and forts, in trenches and mines, in 
skirmish and charge, through heat and storm, driven 
over 30,000 brave and gallant soldiers to lay down their 
arms and surrender as prisoners of war. 

On the same day of the surrender an expedition was 
planned, mth General Sherman in command, and put in- 
to immediate motion against the Confederate army, 
gathered by General Johnston, and occupying the coun- 



VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 199 

ry between the Big Black River and the city of Jackson, 
n a note to Sherman, dated July 4, 1863, General Grant 
aid: "I have no suggestions or orders to give. I want 
'ou to drive Johnston out in your own way, and inflict on 
he enemy all the punishment you can. ' ' 

Two divisions of General Burnside's 9th Army Corps, 
ommanded by Major-General John G. Parke, and com- 
>osed almost entirely of troops from the New England 
>tates, had arrived at Snyder's Bluff just before the sur- 
ender and joined the forces in the rear of the investing 
.rmy. For the purposes of the pending expedition the 
iivision commanded by General William Sooy Smith 
vas attached to the 9th Army Corps and came under the 
ommand of General Parke. 

The plan of forward movement contemplated that the 
3th Army Corps, Major-General Ord commanding, 
hould cross the Big Black River at the railroad bridge ; 
he 15th Army Corps, at Messienger's Ford; the 9th Army 
]orps, at Birdsong's Ferry; and that the cavalry force, 
ommanded by Colonel Cyrus Bussey, should cross at the 
Qouth of Bear Creek. All the columns were en route for 
he designated points by 12 noon, July 4th. 

The Sixth Iowa, at 3 p. m., took its proper place in the 
olumn of the division and marched 10 miles to the Big 
51a.ck River in the vicinity of Birdsong's Feriy and 
amped for the night at Hill's house. 

The troops remained idle in the camps all day, on the 
th, with slight skirmishing between the pickets along the 
iver. At dark. Colonel W. W. Sanford's brigade was 
rdered to Jones' Ford on the Big Black River to effect 
. crossing. A guide selected to direct the Sixth Iowa 
3st his way and led the men a merry chase, from early 



200 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

evening until midnight, through fields, forests, cane- 
brakes, across creeks, through dismal swamps, over high- 
land and lowland, for a distance of 8 or 10 miles, when, 
in fact, it was only two miles in a straight direction from 
Hill's house to the ford, mth a good plain road the great- 
er part of the distance. 

The regiment was marched nearly all the way in the 
order of single file, each man holding on to the bayonet 
scabbard or blanket roll of the man in his front. In that 
manner the command passed almost impenetrable thick- 
ets of brush, briers, and canebrakes, for the night was 
pitchy dark. A break and separation in the line caused 
much confusion in the darkness, and the temper and 
patience of the most circumspect were sorely tried. 

It is hardly possible to describe the vexed situation 
and do the subject justice, or attempt to repeat the start- 
ling expressions of disgust at the bungling management. 
Had the poor unfortunate guide, who was the cause of 
all the grief, fallen into the clutches of the men while in 
their tired and frenzied condition, it would have been a 
sorry adventure for him. It was understood by the offi- 
cers and men in the regiment that the expedition was an 
especially hazardous one, so that the toilsome march and 
long suspense were agonizing in the extreme. 

The river was finally reached at about midnight and 
then, by following along the bank. Colonel Sanford with 
the rest of the brigade was found where they had been 
in waiting for fully two hours. Volunteers were called 
for to explore the ford. They soon made the discovery 
that the stream was so deep and the current so swift that 
it would be impossible for the men to ford it, and carry 
their arms and equipment. In their exhausted condition, 



VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 201 

the men stretched themselves out on the ground, where 
they had halted, and were soon fast asleep. 

Additional exploring parties continued the search up 
and down the river for means of crossing. Two large 
canoes were secured and lashed together, and then a few 
venturesome volunteers commenced to ferry the men 
across, just before daylight. They had made several 
successful trips, landing the men under the opposite 
bank, when at daylight they were discovered by the 
enemy, who opened a galling fire with muskets from the 
cover of trees and logs all along the opposite bank of the 
river. The men being suddenly aroused from their deep 
slumbers at once fell back a few paces from the bank to a 
less exposed position where the line was formed and two 
companies deployed as skirmishers along the river bank 
where they opened a brisk fire on the enemy. 

A few men were so situated near the bank that an at- 
tempt to retire under fire of the enemy at such short range 
would have been attended with fatal results and they were 
compelled to remain under the partial cover for several 
hours. A spirited fire was opened and maintained up 
the river a short distance by a portion of the regiment, 
which drew the forces of the enemy to that point and 
thereby relieved the men under the bank on the opposite 
shore, when they were recrossed in the canoes with slight 
damage. 

A strong line of skirmishers was established along the 
river who kept up such an incessant fire during the day 
that the enemy was led to believe the attempt to cross 
would be made at that point. This permitted Colonel 
Cockerill's brigade to eifect a crossing farther up the 
river. Late in the afternoon the regiment was with- 



202 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

drawn, joined tlie 48th Illinois and crossed the river on a 
pontoon bridge constructed with old flatboats found in 
the river. The brigade marched out and bivouacked for 
the night at Birdsong's house, two miles from the river. 
The casualties in the regiment were as follows: killed, 
Private Oliver Boardman, Company E ; severely wound- 
ed, sergeants George W. Clark and James Turner, and 
privates Austin P. Lowery and Oliver H. Lowery, Com- 
pany I. 

The quick and successful crossing of the Big Black 
Eiver — defended by a large Confederate army which 
had been concentrated by General Johnston in that vi- 
cinity for the purpose of crossing the same stream and 
raising the siege at Vicksburg — was a tactical maneuver 
highly complimentary to the military genius of the in- 
trepid Sherman and his gallant veterans. 

The Confederate troops who opposed the crossing and 
were engaged at Messienger's and Jones' Ford were com- 
posed of the 3rd, 6th, and 9th Texas Cavalry and the 
First Texas Legion, commanded by Brigadier-General 
J. W. Whitfield, who were supported by the strong di- 
vision of infantry commanded by Major-General John C. 
Breckinridge. 

On July 7th, the brigade moved to the front in sup- 
port of the 48th Illinois, who drove the enemy from their 
position and camps at Queen's Hill, from which they fled 
precipitately leaving their camp and garrison equipage, 
a large number of rifles and muskets, commissary stores, 
and their sick soldiers. 

In their abandoned camp were found large kettles of 
meat and "nigger peas" in process of cooking; large 
quantities of "jerked" meat — prepared by drying fresh 
beef over trenches in the ground, filled with hot embers ; 



VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 203 

and ''corn-dodgers", baked on the ground in hot embers 
or on a hard board before a camp-fire. All of these were 
diligently sought after and keenly relished by those who 
were fortunate enough to secure a supply. Camp was 
pitched for the night at Colonel Eobinsons's plantation 
on the Clinton road. A heavy rainstorm occurred at 
night, accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning and ter- 
rific peals of thunder. 

On July 8th, the regiment marched 10 miles with the 
advancing column on the Clinton and Jackson road and 
went into camp at 10 p. m. The extreme heat during the 
day and the lack of suitable water for drinking caused 
intense suffering and many prostrations. On the next 
day, before leaving the camp, a supply of clothing and 
shoes was issued to the men who were in need of such 
articles. The troops marched through the town of Clin- 
ton and camped within six miles of the city of Jackson. 
The advance skirmishers had spirited engagements with 
the enemy's outposts during the day, and there was 
heavy cannonading all along the lines. 

On July 10th, Sanford's brigade led the advance on the 
right of the division and passed to the north of the city 
in the vicinity of the insane asylum. At 4 p. m., two 
companies of the Sixth Iowa were deployed as skirmish- 
ers covering the right flank of the division, mth Colonel 
Corse in command. The line was advanced across the 
open plantations and the Jackson and Canton Railroad 
track, with its left resting at the asylum grounds. The 
resistance made by the enemy was feeble although the 
firing by the skirmishers was spirited and supplemented 
by heavy artillery firing at long range. 

The nianeuver for position by General William Sooy 
Smith's division and the 9th Army Corps, across the 



204 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

open plantations north and west of the asylum, was a 
grand display of troops marching in close order and in 
large masses. All lines and columns moved forward in 
the direction of the city along the general course of the 
Canton wagon road. The enemy made slight resistance 
at the Petrie house, but were quickly driven out by the 
skirmishers and never halted again until they were safe 
on the inside of their main fortifications, which were in 
plain view from the advance positions held by the skir- 
mishers. 

Just as the sun was setting all the rest of the com- 
panies of the Sixth Iowa were deployed as skirmishers, 
connecting with the two companies already on the line and 
covering the entire front of the division, with Colonel 
Corse in command. The whole line was moved forward 
rapidly down in the direction of the city, at right angles 
with the Jackson and Canton Railroad. The enemy made 
resistance at the woods, intervening between the asylum 
and the city, when the line charged with a yell and rapid 
fire, driving the entire force of the enemy through the 
sheltering woods and into their main line of fortifica- 
tions. After dark the enemy fired several dwellings and 
outhouses situated between the hostile Hues which illumi- 
nated all the surrounding country and prevented the fur- 
ther advance of the skirmishers on their works. 

The line was held by the regiment during the night and 
on the next morning a charge was made with ringing 
yells and rapid firing, driving the enemy from a ditch 
they had held with great persistence. The ground 
gained was held, and after forty hours of the most ard- 
uous service the regiment was relieved. Sergeant Wil- 
liam H. Sutherland, Company I, was killed in the action; 



VICKSBURG AND JONES FORD 205 

Private Charles Jericho, of the same company, was mor- 
tally wounded and died, July 21st ; and Stephen T. Brad- 
ley, of the same company, was severely wounded. 

For the next three days the regiment occupied a posi- 
tion in the reserve line, camped in a beautiful native 
woods park on the premises of General William Barks- 
dale, who had been killed on July 3rd, while leading his 
brigade of Mississippians in Pickett's charge at Gettys- 
burg. 



XIV 

THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 

The operations on the front lines were prosecuted with 
great vigor and spirited engagements occurred each day 
attended with heavy cannonading on both sides. The 
weather continued to be very hot and much inconven- 
ience was had and great suffering caused on account of a 
general scarcity of water for drinking. Every well and 
cistern in the vicinity was exhausted and a drink of good 
cool water was a rare luxury. During the afternoon of 
the 14th there was an armistice for four hours, during 
which all hostile demonstrations ceased so that both sides 
might bury their dead lying between the contending lines, 
where they had been for three days. The task was a 
very trying one, and very sickening as well as exasper- 
ating. There was much bitter and acrimonious discus- 
sion concerning the war, by those who were engaged in 
the sad painful duty of collecting the dead bodies from 
the field where they had fallen. 

On July 15th, the regiment again occupied the front 
lines and took up the work of building the rifle-pits and 
trenches which had been in process of construction ever 
since the siege began. At evening, all, except the men 
detailed for pickets during the night in the pits, fell back 
to the guard reserves and slept comfortably until the next 
morning. At daylight the next morning all were moved 
forward again to the trenches, where a continuous skir- 
mish firing was kept up by both sides, accompanied by 
spirited artillery practice. 

206 



THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 207 

At the hour of 11 a. m. by order of General Parke, the 
skirmishers advanced and felt the enemy's line at every 
point in front of the 9th Army Corps for the purpose of 
ascertaining their strength, positions, and the locations 
of their batteries. The Sixth Iowa occupied the right of 
the line, stretching across and parallel to the Jackson 
and Canton Railroad, with the right of the regimental 
line resting on the Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad. The 
97th Indiana occupied the left of the line. Being de- 
ployed as skirmishers along the Livingston road, their 
line formed a right angle with the line on the Jackson and 
Canton Railroad, reaching to the Canton wagon road. 
The right of the line was supported by the 48th Illinois, 
the left by the 40th Illinois, and the center by the 46th 
Ohio. 

Colonel John M. Corse had command of the skirmish- 
ers covering the whole front and at the designated signal 
by him, the men dashed forward with loud shouts, routed 
and captured the enemy's advance posts and pickets. 
Clearing the strip of intervening timber, they rushed out 
into the open cotton fields, crossed the railroad track, 
climbed over the fence, ascended a gentle slope, scudded 
across the wide crest, and then do^\^l in close proximity 
to the enemy's works. 

The batteries of the enemy opened a terrific fire with 
canister shot and shell, whereupon the bugle sounded the 
''lie down". A converging fire from several batteries 
and forts, with heavy guns on the right and left enfilading 
the line as it lay in the cotton rows, and a galling fire of 
musketry from the main line of earthworks and forts, 
aided by the fire of a section of howitzer guns in the im- 
mediate front, was decided to be more than the slender 
skirmish line would be able to overcome, so the "rise up" 



208 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and ''retreat" were sounded in quick succession by the 
bugler, John R. Simpson, in notes which were trembling 
but clear and distinct. The line fell into some disorder 
and confusion while recrossing the open fields, under the 
terrific fire opened from small arms and artillery, but on 
reaching the cover of the timber and the dry creek bed, 
which had been occupied by the enemy at the beginning 
of the engagement, the line was reformed and a brisk fire 
opened upon the advancing lines of the enemy. Many 
of the men, who had so gallantly advanced close up to 
and onto the works in the main line of fortifications, 
were compelled to surrender to the enemy, when the order 
was given to fall back. The line was reestablished in 
the rifle-pits, where the regiment was relieved during the 
afternoon by the 46th Ohio. 

In his report of the engagement. Colonel Corse said, ''I 
cannot speak in too extravagant terms of the officers and 
men of the Sixth Iowa on this occasion". On the same 
evening, General William Sooy Smith, commanding the 
division, sent to Colonel Corse the following communica- 
tion, congratulating him and his command for the gallant 
charge made on the enemy's works: 

The valor of your noble regiment has been conspicuous, even 
amidst the universal good conduct that has marked the oper- 
ations of all the troops of the First Division during our ad- 
vance upon Jackson, and since our arrival here. 

I cannot too highly commend the gallantry you have dis- 
played in two successful charges you have made. The true heart 
swells with emotion of pride in contemplating the heroism of 
those who, in their country's cause, charge forward under the 
iron hail of half a dozen rebel batteries, and exposed to a mur- 
derous fire of musketry from behind strong intrenchments, cap- 
ture prisoners under their very guns. 



THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 209 

Such has been the glorious conduct of the Sixth Iowa this 
morning, and those who shared your dangers and emulate your 
valor will join me in tendering to you and the brave men under 
your command, my warmest thanks and most hearty congratula- 
tions. 

The next morning at daylight, the discovery was made 
that the enemy had abandoned the fortifications and eva- 
cuated the city, so the army at once marched in and oc- 
cupied the demoralized and wrecked capital city. The 
Sixth Iowa stacked arms in the grounds of the State ex- 
ecutive mansion, which the Governor of the State had so 
recently abandoned. 

Wholesale destruction of valuable property in the city 
was caused by the enemy in their efforts to prevent the 
large accumulation of army supplies from falling into 
the hands of the victors. The position, was found to be 
well fortified and had been defended by 30,000 seasoned 
troops. Had a general assault been made upon the works 
by the investing army, while so defended, it would most 
certainly have proved disastrous and would have caused 
the loss of hundreds of precious lives. After remaining 
in the city four hours the command returned to the camps 
at the Barksdale place. 

General Parke commanding the 9th Army Corps, re- 
ferred to the operations, thus: 

On the 16th, an advance of my whole line was ordered, with 
the view of ascertaining the strength of the enemy and the po- 
sition and number of the batteries. This advance was made in 
gallant style, but with severe loss, particularly in General Smith's 
division. It developed the enemy in force behind his intrench- 
ments, with formidable batteries, which made free use of shrap- 
nel, canister, and shell. 



210 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

General Johnston's field return of Confederate forces 
present for duty at Jackson, on June 25, 1863, aggregated 
36,315 men. The evacuation and the forced march of his i 
army east to the vicinity of Meridian, Mississippi, during : 
the intense heat of a July sun, through a country almost ■ 
destitute of drinking water, had scattered and demoral- 
ized his army so effectually that it was determined by the 
Union commanders to abandon the pursuit and let him 
go for the time. 

Orders were issued by army commanders and the 
troops soon set about destroying all the remaining war 
material in and about the city and making more complete 
and perfect the destruction of the railroads leading into i 
the city. During the progress of the siege the enemy had I 
burned several handsome dwellings, just outside of and ! 
near his line of fortifications, to fight up the surround- 
ings and prevent night attacks. The once beautiful city 
— the pride of the State — was one mass of charred ruins. 
The destitute condition of the remaining inhabitants, 
whose homes had been mined by war, and whose supply 
of provisions had been totally exhausted by the acts of 
two armies, was deplorable and distressing to behold. 
Army supplies were generously shared with the destitute 
population, and 200 barrels of flour and 100 barrels of 
pork were placed in the hands of a committee of respect- 
able gentlemen, to be issued by them to the most needy 
and deserving citizens. Only those who were actual wit- 
nesses can ever have an adequate conception of the utter 
ruin and devastation that had befallen the unfortunate 
inhabitants of the city. Their condition appealed to the 
humane sympathy of all and the sight witnessed of high- 
ly cultured and lovely young women, who had been reared 
in homes of wealth and luxury, but had by the cruel acts 



THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 211 

of war, been deprived of the common necessaries and 
subsistences to sustain life, was distressing beyond ex- 
pression. 

The regiment was engaged in destroying the railroad 
track on the 19th and went swimming in the Pearl River 
in the evening. On the 22nd, the regiment marched north 
10 miles as an escort for 50 wagons. These were loaded 
with corn and the command returned safely to camp at 9 
p. m. Marching orders for the next morning w^ere re- 
ceived and companies D and F reported at the field hos- 
pital, where arrangements w^ere made for carrying the 
severely wounded men along with the marching column. 

On July 23rd, the division marched at daylight and 
camped for the night at Clinton. The two companies 
detailed to carry the wounded men started from the hos- 
pital at 2 a. m., but owning to the intense heat and scarcity 
of suitable drinking water, great suffering was exper- 
ienced by the wounded and those wiio were laboring so 
hard for their comfort and well being. Several cases of 
sunstroke occurred during the day, the victims being 
abandoned at the roadside where they remained until 
restored sufficiently by the cooling breeze of the evening 
to press forward to the camps made for the night. The 
march caused much suffering on the part of the wounded. 
To be severely wounded in battle and then carried on a 
rustic litter on the shoulders of men, exposed to a burn- 
ing July sun, is an ordeal of suffering that can only be 
realized by those who have endured it. 

The orders w^ithdrawing the army from Jackson had 
scattered the commands to other fields almost as quickly 
as they were assembled for the expedition. The two di- 
visions of the 9th Army Corps, General Parke command- 
ing, rejoined the army in East Tennessee, and the 13th 



15 



212 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Army Corps, General Ord commanding', went down the 
river to New Orleans and Texas. The 15th Army Corps, 
General Sherman commanding, to which command Gen- 
eral William Sooy Smith's division was reassigned — re- 
storing it to its original position in the corps and the 
Sixth Iowa to the Second Brigade — established camps 
on the west side of the Big Black River. It was an- 
nounced that the command would remain here for an in- 
definite period in obsei-vation toward the interior and to 
recuperate. On the return march from Jackson the com- 
mand passed through the plantation of Jefferson Davis, 
President of the Confederacy. 

The division and regimental Avagon trains were at once 
started back to Snyder's Bluff on the Yazoo River for 
the tents, camp and garrison equipage, and personal bag- 
gage of the officers and men, which had been left there at 
the beginning of the campaign. 

At night, when the 15,000 men of the 15th Army Corps 
were all stretched on the ground in deep slumber, a 
prowling mule became entangled with a squad of sleep- 
ing soldiers. This caused a disturbance and furor that 
was taken up by the suddenly awakened troops and ex- 
tended along the line of the bivouacs, going from regiment 
to regiment and brigade to brigade, gaining in force and 
tumult as it proceeded, until the whole army was up and 
yelling as loudly as they could and shaking their blankets 
in the pitchy darkness at the supposed herd of stam- 
peded cattle. It was the most stupendous scare and ri- 
diculous stampede that ever occurred in the army; but it 
was perfectly natural for one suddenly awakened, with 
the thought of two or three hundred stampeded cattle 
trampling him down, to give vent to his lungs and make 
every manner of attempt to climb a tree. 



THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 213 

On July 27th, the knapsacks and other personal bag- 
gage arrived, and on the 29th the tents and all the camp 
equipage were received, when the tents were pitched and 
the camps established in regular order. Frequent and 
severe rainstorms occurred, accompanied by pealing 
thunder and vivid flashes of lightning, at which times the 
men enjoyed baths in the refreshing rain. The camps 
and parade grounds were soon cleared and policed, giv- 
ing an appearance of rest and comfort to the whole sur- 
rounding. 

In the list of casualties at Jackson were embraced the 
following : 

Killed: Charles H. Griggs, Company B; James A. 
Hickcox and Henry L. Tucker, Company E ; William H. 
Sutherland, Company I; total 4. 

Died of Wounds: Daniel J. Boyles and Harrison 
Craig, Company C; Francis B. Hunnell, Company D; 
Charles Jericho, Company I; total, 4; aggregate killed 
and died of wounds, 8 men. 

Wounded : William M. Harbeson, Robert G. Murphy, 
and Charles Ovington, Company A; William L. Brown 
and James C. Lucas, Company B; Henry P. Cutting, 
William S. Linn, Milton H. Ross, and William H. Oviatt, 
Company C; John Diehl, Abraham Ford, Elam Ford, 
Thomas P. Gray, Francis M. Kyte, George W. Lamb, Cap- 
tain Calvin Minton, Isaac N. McClaskey, Abraham C. 
Rarick, Henry C. Stewart, and Joseph Wry, Company 
F; Robert W. Elhott and Levi Talbot, Company G; 
Samuel H. Davis and Willard B. Van Vleet, Company H ; 
Stephen T, Bradley, Alexander B. Boyd, and Thomas 
Conroy, Company I ; James H. Hobbs, Company K ; total 
28 men. 

Missing in Action: Edw^ard R. Godfrey and James M. 



214 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Loughlin, Company B; John Dourty, Leonard Garn, 
James Johnson, James E. Linn, and George W. Owen, 
Company C; Fred. B. Johnson, Abner W. Sharp, and 
James C. Wilson, Company F; Alexander B. Boyd and 
David Wagoner, Company I; total, 12 men. 

The aggregate casualties were: 4 killed, 4 died of 
ivounds, 28 wounded, 12 taken prisoner. ^^ 

Officers and men were allowed to visit the city, on 
passes granted by division commanders, which afforded 
ail an opportunity to view the vast fortifications and 
frowning batteries, see the battle-scarred city, and pur- 
chase many necessary supplies and delicacies, not found 
in the camps. 

When the Confederates marched out of Vicksburg the 
roadside and fortifications were crowded with Union 
soldiers to take a farewell glance at the troops, who had 
fought them so stubbornly and desperately. Not a word 
of exultation or outburst of feeling was uttered by a 
Union soldier, for, honoring the heroic men for their 
bravery, they would not add to the humiliation of their 
surrender, by a single taunt. Thus was completed a 
siege, unparalleled in any land, for valiant assault and 
heroic defense. 

The Sixth Iowa, having arrived with the reenforce- 
ments for General Grant's army, during the siege oper- 
ations, did not participate in the fighting around the city, 
but was utilized to guard against the threatened danger 
in the rear by General Johnston's relieving army, and 

15 This return of casualties in the siege of Jackson lists two men killed, 
two officers and fifteen men wounded, and eight men missing, a total of 
twenty-seven. This list covers only the period from July 10 to July 16, 
1863. — War of the Bebellion: Official Eecoi'ds, Series I, Vol. XXIV, 
Pt. 2, p. 544. 



i 

1 



THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 215 

was — so-to-speak — '' holding a leg while the rest 
skinned". The immediate defeat and dispersing of Gen- 
eral Johnston's army — larger than the army surrend- 
ered — was a part of the great campaign for the recovery 
and possession of the Mississippi Valley, in which the 
regiment bore its full share of the burdens and battles, 
and accepts the honors so fairly won. 

No other important campaign during the war was so 
entirely the conception of one man's mind, none was 
fraught with more discouraging perplexities, and none 
was executed with such signal boldness and fidelity to 
duty, as were the operations for the possession of Vicks- 
burg. It has ever been an absorbing theme for discussion 
and criticism by military officers and students of history. 
Many years after the war when a party of distin- 
guished officers of both armies were assembled at dinner, 
the Vicksburg campaign was the friendly theme of dis- 
cussion. The trend of the criticisms was that it was 
wrong in strategy, and contrary to the books and mili- 
tary science, in execution. General Beauregard was a 
silent listener until all had spoken, when he was asked 
for his opinion and he said: "Gentlemen, it had the 
merit of success". 

It not only had the merit of subduing armed resistance 
to the government, but effectually silenced the wholly 
unjust and merciless criticism of General Grant by his 
enemies and by politicians, both in and out of the army, 
by the press of the country, and by all who were unfriend- 
ly to the administration at Washington and the prosecu- 
tion of the war. General Grant was the idol and hope 
of the Union cause. 

New clothing was issued to the regiment, together with 
an abundance of rations and all necessarj^ supplies for 



216 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the comfort and health of the men. On Augnist 7th, 
the regiment marched 10 miles and established a new 
camp at Oak Ridge. 

Furloughs were granted to a limited number of offic- 
ers and men to visit their homes in Iowa for a period of 
thirty days. Pursuant to orders issued by General Grant 
large quantities of army provisions were issued to the 
destitute inhabitants in the neighborhood of the camps, 
whose subsistence had been entirely exhausted by the 
demands of both armies. The monotony of camp life 
soon became irksome and the long August days wore 
wearily away without particular incident. The daily 
duties imposed consisted of light camp and picket guard 
duty, with occasional company and battalion drills, Sun- 
day inspections, evening parades, and grand reviews for 
the commanding generals. 

In recognition of his gallant services at Jackson, Colo- 
nel John M. Corse was promoted to the rank of Brigad- 
ier-General of Volunteers, and assigned to the command 
of the Second Brigade. 

On September 3rd, the regiment was paid two months 
pay and marched a mile and a half in the direction of 
Camp Sherman the same evening and camped for the 
night ; resumed the march the next morning and reoccu- 
pied the old position in the corps at Camp Sherman be- 
fore noon. The whole division was reviewed in the af- 
ternoon by General Sherman, the 6000 marching troops 
making a grand and imposing sight. The same ceremony 
was performed the next day, followed by a brigade drill 
by the Second Brigade with General Corse commanding. 
The large cotton plantations, lying in the valley of the 
Big Black River, adjacent to the camps, were appro- 



THE JACKSON CAMPAIGN 217 

jriated for drills, reviews, and all military ceremonies 
md maneuvers performed by large commands. 

Despite the intense heat during the daytime, General 
^orse kept up the brigade drills and grand reviews, 
vhich proved to be very tiying on the troops and tested 
;heir endurance to the limit, many of the men falling 
Tom exhaustion, while in ranks. On September 11th, 
;he whole division, consisting of three brigades, infantry 
md artilleiy, appeared on grand review with about 6000 
nen in line, and, after the ceremony, the whole command 
\^as drilled in battle maneuvers by General Sherman. 

September 18th and 25th were made special field days, 
vhen the division was exercised in battle maneuvers by 
jeneral Sheraian, displaying improved proficiency on 
he part of the officers and men. 

An epidemic of sickness prevailed in the camps and the 
leaths were so frequent that orders were issued dispens- 
ng with music at the funerals and the firing of salutes 
)ver the graves. The volleys had become so frequent 
md regular, that the sound had the appearance of an en- 
gagement. The solemn roll of the muffled drums and the 
•eports of the volleys fired in such rapid succession were 
^ery annoying and discouraging to those who were sick 
n the hospitals. 

Deaths occurred in the Sixth Iowa wliile at Camp Sher- 
nan as follows: Private Wm. H. Muchmore [Munch- 
nore?]. Company B, July 28, 1863 — chronic diarrhoea; 
;*rivate Thomas P. Gray, Company F, September 22, 1863 
— typhoid fever; First-Sergeant William H. Bolton, 
Company G, August 3, 1863 — acute dysentery; Private 
rhomas Lewis, Company K, August 13, 1863 — yellow 
'ever; and Private [Corporal ?] Jonathan L. Haggerty, 



218 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Company F, July 4, 1863 — intermittent fever, while at 
Snyder's Bluff in convalescent camp; total, 5. 

At the evening parade, September 25th, marching or- 
ders were read, which were understood to mean that a 
movement to reenforce the army at Chattanooga was to 
be inaugurated. 

The drill practice, had on such a grand scale at Camp 
Sherman, was of invaluable benefit as a school of instruc- 
tion to officers and men, and General Corse received the 
full meed of praise for inaugurating and successfully 
commanding the maneuvers. 



XV 

CHATTANOOGA 

The substantial victories won by the Union armies at 
Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Helena, and Jackson, resulting 
in the complete repossession of the Mississippi Valley 
and the free navigation of the great river to the Gulf of 
Mexico, had released the veteran troops of General 
Grant's army, so that they were available to operate in 
other fields. The situation at Chattanooga, f ollomng the 
battle of Chickamauga was critical, which caused large 
reenforcements to be ordered to that point for the relief 
of General William S. Rosecrans, commanding the Army 
of the Cumberland. 

The 15th Army Corps had been encamped on the Big 
Black River for two months, with General Sherman in 
command. The marching orders received were hailed 
with joy and rightly interpreted to mean that the army 
was destined for service in the Department of the Cum- 
berland, at Chattanooga. 

On September 26th, the tents were struck and sent, to- 
gether with knapsacks and "other camp and personal bag- 
gage, by railroad transportation to Vicksburg. The 
troops remained idle at the camp all the next day, and, on 
the 28th, marched 10 miles and camped on a small creek 
near the city of Vicksburg. The weather was hot and the 
roads very dusty. At 4 a. m., on the 29th, the regiment 
broke camp and marched to Vicksburg, where 8 com- 
panies embarked on the steamer "Luminary" and the 

219 



220 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

other two, together with a battery of artillery, embarked 
on a small steamer. 

On September 30th, both boats started up the river 
with the fleet of boats carrying the whole army corps. 
The steamer ''Lmninary", with the 8 companies, ar- 
rived at the city of Memphis, on October 5th. They camp- 
ed in the east part of the city, where the other two com- 
panies joined the regiment, on the 9th. The passage up 
the river was without particular incident, except the usual 
discomforts on account of the limited facilities for pre- 
paring and cooking the rations and the exposed decks of 
the steamer for sleeping purposes. The nights were 
chilly and the thick fog gathered on the river made the 
situation most uncomfortable, so that all were glad to 
pitch their camps on the land. 

The pleasant friends and scenes of a year before — in 
and about the city — were visited by officers and men, 
without much restriction. Trade and commerce were 
active in the city, giving it a lively and business-like ap- 
pearance ; the stores and shops were filled with goods and 
general merchandise to suit the trade, which were sold 
at reasonable prices ; the circus and the theatres were in 
the height of prosperity. 

On Sunday, October 11th, the command broke camp and 
started under rush orders, marched 15 miles to German- 
town and camped for the night. General Chalmers had 
attacked Collierville during the day with a large Confed- 
erate force and was repulsed by the 66th Indiana regi- 
ment, the garrison force, and a battalion of the 13th 
United States Regulars, en route on the train and acting 
as escort for General Sherman, who arrived at the Col- 
lierville station at noon — just in time to take part in 
the engagement. Had General Chalmers known during 



CHATTANOOGA 221 

'the engagement that there was such big game at the sta- 
tion as General Sherman, no doubt he would have made 
a more determined effort to overcome the small garrison 
defending it. 

On October 12th, the regiment started at 4 a. m., passed 
through Collierville, turned south to Nonconnah, thence 
to Mount Pleasant and camped for the night, having 
traveled a distance of 22 miles. The village of Mount 
Pleasant was burned at an early hour the next morning, 
and at 4 a. m. the column marched, and halted at 12 noon 
in Early Grove, where the election was held in the regi- 
ment for State and county officers in Iowa. For Gover- 
nor, Colonel William M. Stone, 22nd Iowa, the Republican 
candidate, received 175 votes, and Brigadier-General 
James M. Tuttle, former Colonel of the 2nd Iowa Infan- 
try, and commanding the Third Division, 15th Army 
Corps, the Democratic candidate, received 9 votes. At 3 
p. m., the march was continued to La Grange, the distance 
for the day being 23 miles. October 14th, the regiment 
marched 12 miles and camped 2 miles east of Saulsbury. 

The route of march from the city of Memphis had been 
over familiar roads and scenes of former campaigning, 
so Grand Junction and Fort Star were viewed with feel- 
ings akin to home and friends. The regiment marched 
15 miles on the 15th and camped at Pocahontas. It 
struck camp at 4 a. m. the next morning, crossed the 
Hatchie River and camped at Chewalla, having marched 
10 miles. On October 17th, the troops marched 15 miles 
to Corinth, the Sixth Iowa guarding the division wagon 
train. It rained all day, making the roads heavy for 
wheeling and disagreeable for marching. 

There was a very noticeable change in the appearance 
of Corinth, made by the Union forces after the evacua- 



I 



222 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

tion by the Confederates, more than a year before. Great 
forts and lines of fortifications had been erected, defend- 
ing every approach to the position, and all the troops do- 
ing garrison duty at the post were housed in neat dwell- 
ings or barracks. The camp of each regiment had the ap- 
pearance of a community village and everything about 
the position had a very smirky and comfortable appear- 
ance. The railroads were being operated west to Alem- 
phis and north to Columbus and many stragglers joined 
the regiment. They had taken advantage of the railroad 
facilities and arrived ahead of the command, on the cars. 

On October 18th, the march was continued for 12 miles, 
through the almost bottomless mud, to Glendale [Glen], 
and on the next day the whole division was assembled at 
luka, having marched a distance of 15 miles. Every 
building in the little town was occupied by army sutlers, 
with immense stocks, which was certain evidence that the 
troops would be paid, while stopped at the place. A 
regular camp was laid out and the ground policed with 
great care, indicating a long halt. 

On October 20th, the regiment started at 2 p. m. on a 
scouting expedition, with 3 days rations, marched 9 
miles, and camped for the night at Eastpoint, on the 
Tennessee River. This was one of the points at which 
the enemy had a battery located at the time the regiment 
made the reconnoissance, while on board the ''Crescent 
City" in March, 1862, before the battle of Shiloh. Dur- 
ing the 21st, comiDanies F and I crossed the river in skitfs 
and made a thorough examination of the roads in the vi- 
cinity of the opposite shore, returning to the camp in the 
evening. On the evening of the 22nd, the regiment re- 
turned to the camp at luka. On the 23rd, the whole 



CHATTANOOGA 223 

country was flooded by a heavy rainstonn, blocking all 
military operations. 

The regiment received two months pay on October 24th, 
but it came too late to be of service to the horde of sut- 
lers, who had assembled with their goods. A general 
raid had been made by the troops on the establishments 
of the greedy vampires, and nearly every one of them 
suffered heavy loss. The men were mostly without 
money and the rich delicacies displayed in the stores 
were so tempting that they could not be restrained and 
the camp followers were unmercifully cleaned out, losing 
large quantities of provisions, and much wine and other 
liquor. A justified complaint had been made by the en- 
Usted men on account of the exorbitant prices charged for 
goods and for unjust discriminations made against them 
by the sutlers. The men also took umbrage because the 
pay day had been deferred until they were far in the inter- 
ior and a long distance from any trading point, and, be- 
cause all the sutlers — by some strange intuition — were 
on the ground ahead of the paymasters, with all their 
wares. 

There was instituted a little spasm of effort to punish 
the men for the breach of discipline, but active cam- 
paigning and a lack of sympathy throughout the army 
for the injured parties — who had followed the army 
solely for gain and speculation — caused the affair to 
''blow over" easily and no further action was ever taken. 

Pursuant to orders, all of the armies operating in the 
west were combined in one command and designated as 
the Military Division of the Mississippi, with Major- 
General U. S. Grant, assigned by the President, in su- 
preme command. General Sherman succeeded to the 
command of the Department and Army of the Tennessee, 



224 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

with Major-General Frank P. Blair in command of the 
15th Army Corps, then assembled in the vicinity of luka, 
en route to Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

The 15th Army Corps, as constituted October 31, 1863, 
consisted of four divisions vnth. an aggregate strength, 
present and absent, of 30,951 men and 58 pieces of ar- 
tillery. ^^ The 6th loAva, commanded by Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Alexander J. Miller, was included in the Second Bri- 
gade of the Fourth Division, commanded respectively by 
Brigadier-General John M. Corse and Brigadier-General 
Hugh Ewing. 

General Blair, with the advance divisions of the corps, 
had proceeded east along the line of the railroad to Tus- 
cumbia, Alabama, where he engaged the enemy's forces 
commanded by General Stephen D. Lee, at Cane Creek 
and Little Bear Creek, resulting in the defeat of the Con- 
federates and the occupation of the country by the Union 
forces. 

On October 27th, the tents were struck in the camp at 
luka, and at noon the division marched out on the road 
10 miles to Eastport, where the troops and trains were 
ferried across the Tennessee River by "Gunboat No. 32", 
that evening. The next day, at 3 p. m., the Second Bri- 
gade continued the march on the Huntsville road, which 
runs parallel with the Tennessee River, passing through 
the village of Waterloo and a section of country along 
the valley of the river most picturesque and beautiful to 
behold. The command bivouacked near Gravelly Springs 
at 10 p. m., after marching 13 miles. 

For the purpose of carrying an increased supply of 

16 The Fifteenth Corps is officially credited with an aggregate strength 
of 33,762 men and 62 pieces of artillery, on October 31, 1863. — War of 
the Bebellion: Official Becords, Series I, Vol, XXXI, Pt. 1, p. 817. 



CHATTANOOGA 225 

anny stores, for the next stage in the progress of the 
inarch, the regimental wagon had been loaded with ra- 
tions at the railroad before departing from luka, neces- 
sitating the carrying of knapsacks by the men. This 
hardship was, however, remedied during the day by 
pressing into the service sufficient country teams to trans- 
port the personal baggage for the men and officers of the 
command. 

Heavy cannonading was heard during the day in the 
direction of Bear Creek on the south side of the river, but 
no harm was apprehended while the placid waters of the 
Tennessee flowed between. On the 29th, the brigade 
marched 20 miles and camped at Florence, having passed 
through a lovely country- — the many picturesque land- 
scapes and mral scenery vying with the beauties and 
grandeur on the Hudson, or even the Rhine. The plant- 
ers of the Tennessee Valley were immensely wealthy, and, 
judging from the magiiificent character and style of their 
palatial homes, a highly cultured and aristocratic class 
in their section of the country. The foragers levied 
heavy tribute upon their abundance of pork, poultry, 
sweet potatoes, honey, milk, and fruit. 

The ruins of the Morton Factories, situated on Cypress 
Creek, 4 miles from Florence, were \dewed as the colunm 
passed during the day. The dam across the creek and 
the blackened walls on either side were all that remained 
of what was once the famed Morton Factories, all of 
which said but too plainly: "I met the Kansas Jay- 
hawkers, and, alas ! have been demolished ' '. The day had 
been warm, but ere the tents were pitched for the night in 
the beautiful grounds of Florence College, dark, gloomy, 
and foreboding clouds gathered in rugged masses, and 
soon the cold rain descended so fiercely and in such tor- 



226 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

rents as to almost rend into shreds the frail canvas 
covering. 

October 30th, the dark cloud of the night had passed 
away and ''Old Sol" again ruled over all, shedding his 
warm and genial rays upon the grass covered hills and 
the blue nosed "blue coats", who had emerged from their 
damp bivouac to bask in the warm sunshine of the early 
morning. 

Florence, not the "city of arts", but the town in 
which the Honorable Stephen A. Douglas, a candidate for 
President, was egged while making a political speech in 
1860, was made up of scattering buildings, most of which 
wore the appearance of having been visited by the touch 
of "ruthless time". There was some attempt by the few 
remaining inhabitants of the town to carry on the usual 
business pursuits and many soldiers embraced the op- 
portunity to get a shave and hair cut by the native bar- 
bers, who charged 30 cents in "yu'alls" money or $1.25 
in Confederate money. The troops were usually supplied 
with Confederate currency and did not hesitate to part 
with it like they did the Union greenbacks. 

October 31st, the regiment was mustered for pay, and, 
at 3 p. m., filed out of the college grounds prepared for a 
scout, and marched out on the Huntsville road. At sun- 
down the column arrived on the bluff in the vicinity of 
the ferry at the foot of the great Muscle Shoals on the 
Tennessee River, 7 miles above Florence. Captain Ba- 
shore guarded the ferry during the night ^vith his com- 
pany. At daybreak the next morning only a small fish- 
ing boat was discovered, which was fortunately loaded 
with fine large fish, the catch of two rustic fishermen dur- 
ing the night. The boat was manned by a small detail 
and sent down the river to Florence, whereupon the regi- 



CHATTANOOGA 227 

aent set out on tlie return march and arrived at camp at 
a. m. 

At 2 p. m., the whole brigade broke camp and marched 
lut on the Huntsville road in all possible haste and 
amped one mile beyond Shoal Creek bridge, being only 
, short distance from the place where the regiment had 
leen on duty the night before. 

As an officer to march under, General Corse command- 
Qg the brigade, far excelled them all, as he w^as always 
[iligent in personally seeing after the welfare and com- 
ort of his command. The result was clean straw and 
odder to sleep on and nice dry rails for firewood. 

All the force operating along the railroad south of the 
Tennessee was crossed to the north side and assembled 
n the vicinity of Florence. The Confederate forces con- 
ended with after advancing from luka w^ere commanded 
►y General Stephen D. Lee and General Joseph AVlieeler, 
diile S. W. Ferguson's cavaliy command hovered in 
ront and on the flanks of the column. The First Ala- 
bama (Union) Cavalry was worsted in an affair with 
Ferguson's command, resulting in the capture of a por- 
ion of the loyal Alabamians. In all the other encount- 
srs had the enemy was severely punished and the coun- 
ry cleared for the passage of the column with its im- 
nense wagon trains. 

November 2nd, the brigade broke camp and marched 
mt on the main Hunts\dlle road at daylight, passing 
;hrough a rough broken section of country, which was 
veil watered with beautiful little rivulets of clear i-un- 
ling water, and occasional large creeks. At 3 p. m., the 
3rigade camped on Second Creek, ha\'ing marched 11 
niles. 

On November 3rd, reveille sounded at 4 a. m., break- 



228 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

fast call at 5, assembly at 6, which was quickly followed 
by the command to move forward, when the regiments 
and trains filed out into the road and marched away, leav- 
ing the smouldering and smoking camp fires to die out 
during the bright November day. The column passed 
through the little old dingy town of Rogersville and ar- 
rived at Elk River, a considerable stream, before noon, 
where the troops began crossing in canoes and old ferry 
boats ; but when one regiment and a part of a battery had 
crossed over, the brigade was ordered back to Rogersville 
and bivouacked for the night, where the Third Division 
had already pitched their camps. 

On the 4th, the column moved. 15 miles in a northeast- 
erly direction on the Pulaski road and camped on Sugar 
Creek. The route of march for the day was through a 
country positively poor. A gray headed inhabitant be- 
ing interrogated, said: ^'I settled on this spot of ground 
in 1808 ' '. There he had existed ever since, but all he had 
to show for his lifetime of labor was ten acres of cleared 
and cultivated land, a log cabin, a cow, a few ''razor- 
back" hogs, a pack of hound dogs, and a family of thir- 
teen children. The column marched 10 miles the next 
day, passed through Bethel and camped at Prospect. On 
the 6th, it marched on the Nashville and Huntsville Pike, 
crossed Richland Creek and camped at Fayette Mills, 
having marched 12 miles. On the 7th, the troops set out 
at an early hour and traveled parallel with and near to 
the Elk River, a distance of 15 miles. On the 8th, they 
arrived at Fayettevillo at one p. m., where the column 
was reviewed by General Sherman as it passed through 
town. The Elk River was crossed at the edge of town on 
the fine stone bridge and camp was pitched 2 miles be- 
yond, the distance for the day being 15 miles. Novem- 



CHATTANOOGA 229 

ber 9th, the division remained in camp all day, while 
regimental foraging parties were sent out to scour the 
country for provisions, the ten days rations, issued at 
luka and Eastport, having been exhausted. During the 
day caravans of wagons, mules, and horses, laden with 
supplies of flour, meal, hams, bacon, potatoes, fresh pork, 
poultry, and fruit, arrived in the camps and all "lived 
off the fat of the land". 

Pursuant to orders from corps headquarters. General 
Corse commenced to mount the Second Brigade. This 
had been anticipated by the men and nearly half of the 
command was already in possession of captured horses 
and mules, secured while foraging in the country. On 
the 10th, the division, with the Second Brigade in front, 
started before daylight for Winchester, Tennessee, waded 
Bear Creek and camped at Salem, the distance for the day 
being 22 miles. The column passed through old Win- 
chester before noon the next day and went into camp one 
mile beyond the town, and two miles from the station on 
the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, with a view of 
the Cumberland Mountains in the dim distance. 

The officers and men who were mounted joined the 
other mounted detachments of the brigade, under Colonel 
J. M. Oliver of the 15th Michigan, and started over the 
mountain, leading the advance of the corps. The foot 
detachments guarded the long train of army wagons over 
the mountain, camping the first night near Anderson, with 
no supper and no blankets and the weather chill and cold. 
The distance marched during the day was 16 miles. The 
troops crossed over and descended the mountain, on the 
13th, passing through Anderson and camped near Stev- 
enson, at the junction with the Memphis and Charleston 
Railroad, in the midst of a cold rainstorm, having 



230 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

marched 15 miles. On the 14th, the column marched 8 
miles on the road to Bridgeport on the Tennessee River. 

The terrible evidences of the destitution in the army 
besieged by the enemy at Chattanooga began to make 
their appearance in the vicinity of Stevenson, the point at 
which the supplies for the army had been transferred 
from the cars to the wagon trains and hauled over the 
mountains, a distance of 65 miles, to Chattanooga. The 
roads over the mountains, rough and difficult by nature, 
were made doubly so by continued rain and floods. The 
frequent raids made by the enemy's cavalry and guerril- 
la bands, added to the difficulties. At one place in a 
mountain pass on the route, a portion of General Wheel- 
er's cavalrj^ command destroyed 250 loaded wagons and 
carried away 1500 mules and horses. 

The brigade — those who were on foot — together with 
the rest of the division, continued the march 10 miles to 
Bridgeport, where the charred wreck and naked stone 
piers of the burned railroad bridge were conspicuous in 
the river. 

The troops remained idle in camp during the next day, 
and, on November 17th, crossed the Tennessee River on 
the pontoon bridge, passed through Shellmound and out 
to Gordon's mines, and over the Sand Mountain by the 
Nickajack trace to the summit, which was above and over- 
looking the town of Trenton, Georgia. Here the com- 
mand camped for the night, having marched 16 miles. 

On November 18th, with Cockerill's brigade leading 
and Corse's following, the column descended the moun- 
tain into the Wills Valley and drove the enemy out of 
Trenton and camped for the night, the distance marched 
during the day being 10 miles. The mounted detach- 
ments rejoined the brigade during the day at Trenton, 



CHATTANOOGA 231 

where the enemy appeared in considerable force from the 
direction of Lookout Mountain, but retired before night. 
The three brigades of Loomis, Corse and Cockerill, com- 
posing General Hugh Ewing's division, were assembled 
in the vicinity of Trenton, threatening the passes over 
Lookout Mountain. 

The Second Brigade, General Corse in command, start- 
ed south up the valley at noon on the 19th, with the Sixth 
Iowa in the lead, and drove the enemy from their camps, 
through Johnson 's Crook — a narrow defile in the side of 
Lookout Mountain — to the summit, where the forces of 
the enemy retired rapidly along the top of the mountain 
towards the north end. Captain George E. Nunn, with 
his Company H and other detachments, was left on top 
of the mountain as an outpost, while the brigade camped 
in the valley. A distance of 15 miles had been covered 
during the day. 

At midnight. Captain Nunn's pickets captured a Con- 
federate Colonel who had been sent there in command of 
150 men to hold the gap that the brigade was already in 
possession of. At daylight next morning, Captain Nunn, 
with his 40 men, advanced and attacked the forces of the 
enemy mentioned by the captured Colonel, and firing was 
commenced 50 yards beyond the outpost. The enemy 
was driven in a running fight to the far side of the moun- 
tain, and down through Stevens' Gap, closely followed 
by the advance. As the enemy wound down the narrow 
gap the men of Company H opened fire on them with ter- 
rible effect, killing and wounding 28, capturing 6 men, 7 
horses, 9 rifles, and a wagon loaded with provisions and 
camp utensils. 

In his report of the operations about Trenton, General 
Ewing mentioned the affair, thus : 



232 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

On the 20th, the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry ascended from 
McLemore's Cove to drive us from the mountain. General 
Corse charged them with 40 mounted infantry, led by Captain 
Nunn, supported by infantry, routed and drove them beyond 
their camps in the cove, inflicting a heavy loss in killed, wound- 
ed, and prisoners, and capturing arms, horses, and equipage. 

Private Thomas McEveny, taken prisoner, was the only 
loss sustained by the company. The demonstration made 
by General Ewing's division in the vicinity of Trenton 
and over the summit of Lookout Mountain had put in 
motion a large force of the Confederate army. This oc- 
curred four days before the capture of the north end of 
the mountain by the forces under General Hooker. A 
cold drizzling rain set in and continued almost constant- 
ly, day and night, causing much suffering among the men. 

On November 21st, all of the scattered commands and 
detachments were called in and the division concentrated 
at Trenton, early in the day. The regiment passed 
through Trenton and camped with the rest of the division 
in the valley 5 miles north of Trenton near Nickajack 
Gap, the distance marched being 20 miles. 

The extensive ironworks at Trenton, together with 
much other property there and in the vicinity, useful to 
the enemy, were burned and destroyed. The marching 
was very trying and had taxed the patience and endur- 
ance of the men to the extreme limit. The cold drench- 
ing rain had swelled the mountain streams into torrents, 
so that the men were compelled to wade in the water 
waist deep, and the roads were a sea of mud. 

On November 22nd, the regiment, with everybody w^et, 
tired and sore, broke camp and started at 7 a. m. The 
mounted men turned in their mules and horses to the 
Quartermaster during the day and took their places in the 



CHATTANOOGA 233 

'oot column. The troops drew 100 rounds of ammuni- 
;ion per man at Wauliatchie station, crossed the Tennes- 
see River after dark on the pontoon bridge at BrowTi's 
Perry and camped above Chattanooga, opposite the East 
Ohickamauga River, at 10 p. m., having marched 15 miles. 

November 23rd, the troops remained quiet in camp all 
lay, screened from the enemy's view by the hills border- 
ng along the north bank of the Tennessee River. The 
lard rainstorms and cold frosty nights for the past four 
lays had caused great suffering among the troops and 
nany serious cases of illness were reported. The expe- 
lition up the Lookout Valley to Trenton and return was 
ittended with as much hardship and exposure as any 
the regiment had ever experienced before. 

Commanding officers were engaged during the day 
i^iewing the positions occupied by the enemy on the op- 
posite side of the river and completing the inspections 
and preparations for the crossing. Each man was re- 
quired to carry a blanket or overcoat, three days cooked 
rations, and as near 100 rounds of ammunition as possi- 
ble, including that in cartridge boxes. The camps and 
transportation, with all surplus baggage and knapsacks 
were left behind in charge of those unfit for duty. Heavy 
musketry and artillery firing was heard all day in the di- 
rection of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, where, at 
evening, the enemy opened fire with heavy guns from the 
point of the mountain. 

General Sherman's battle orders, dated November 
22nd, made dispositions as follows. The Fifteenth 
Army Corps, reenforced by one division of the Army of 
the Cumberland, was to cross the Tennessee at the mouth 
of East Chickamauga Creek, advance and take possession 
of the end of Missionary Ridge, from the railroad tunnel 



234 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

to Chickamauga, hold, and fortify. The Army of the 
Cumberland and General Hooker's command were to as- 
sist by direct attacks to their front. General Giles A. 
Smith's brigade was to man the 120 pontoon boats in 
West Cliickamauga Creek and at midnight push out and 
drift down the Tennessee, landing two regiments above 
East Chickamauga and the remainder of the brigade be- 
low the mouth, and secure the enemy's picket at the mouth 
of the creek. 

The whole of the Second Division was then to cross to 
the north of the Chickamauga and the Tliird Division, 
General John E. Smith commanding, was to cross to the 
south or below the mouth, each working smartly to forti- 
fy the ground and improve the landing. The First and 
Fourth divisions, Generals Osterhaus and Ewing com- 
manding, were to follow as soon as the first two were 
clear. The Fourth Division, under General Ewing, was 
moved out toward Tunnel Hill, keeping connection with 
the left division on Chickamauga Creek, which was the 
guiding flank. 

The First Division commanded by General Osterhaus, 
was cut off by the broken bridge at Brown's Ferry and 
did not join the corps, but was attached to General Hook- 
er's command and operated against Lookout Mountain. 

The crossing commenced at midnight as contemplated 
in the orders and by daylight, the 24th, the divisions of 
General Morgan L. Smith and General John E. Smith, 
8000 men, were on the east bank of the river, and had 
thrown up rifle-trenches. General Ewing 's division 
commenced crossing in the pontoon boats, when the 
steamer "Dunbar" arrived and relieved them of that la- 
borious task by ferrying the remaining troops over. At 



CHATTANOOGA 235 

noon the pontoon bridge was laid down, when men, horses, 
artillery, and everything were safely crossed. 

The Sixth Iowa was deployed as skirmishers covering 
the front of the division and took position, lying in line 
until 2 p. m., when the order was given to advance to, 
and take possession of, a range of hills near Tunnel Hill 
in front of Missionary Ridge, which was done with but 
slight resistance. The enemy, some 200 or 300 strong, 
retired hastily and in some disorder to his batteries on 
the main ridge. The brigade occupied the hill, brought 
up the artillery to the top and fortified it. The enemy 
threw a few shots from his guns on the main ridge, which 
were soon silenced, and the troops worked all night on the 
fortifications. 

The Second Brigade was designated to lead the advance 
the next morning and make the assault on the enemy's 
strong position and main fortifications at Tunnel Hill, 
and at 7 a. m.. General Corse had made all his disposi- 
tions accordingly. At the first break of day a fierce can- 
nonade was commenced by both sides and continued until 
8 a. m., when the 40th Illinois, Major H. W. Hall com- 
manding, and 3 companies of the 103rd Illinois, Major 
A. Willison commanding, advanced as skirmishers with 
the 46th Ohio, under Colonel C. C. Walcutt, as sup- 
port, and charged the enemy intrenched on the next 
ridge. General Corse led the charge in person and the 
enemy was driven from the position. 

When the whole brigade was fully in possession of the 
captured hill, orders were then given to charge and dis- 
lodge the enemy in his main batteries and fortifications 
on Tunnel Hill. The orders for the new disposition 
were promptly executed, regiments and batteries moving 



236 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

to their assigned positions with celerity and precision, 
though subjected to a galling fire of musketry and ter- 
rific volleys of artillery. 

The prompt and intelligent execution of orders, on the 
field under fire, by commanding officers, and the well de- 
fined confidence and steady courage displayed by the men, 
was very gratifying to those who had laid the sure foun- 
dation for such splendid results, while drilling at the Big 
Black River camps. 

The assaulting column was formed by General Corse, 
thus : 40th Illinois under Major Hiram W. Hall, 5 com- 
panies of the 103rd Illinois under Major A. Willison, and 
5 companies of the 4:6th Ohio under Captain John Ram- 
sey. Three troops were deployed as skirmishers in three 
lines, while the two remaining wings of the 103rd and 
46th, and the 6th Iowa under Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. 
Miller, composed the reserve for the lines, commanded 
by Colonel Charles C. Walcutt. The brigade had in line 
920 effective men, and was again led by Brigadier-Gen- 
eral John M. Corse. The bugles sounded the advance, 
when the brigade rushed forward in the most gallant 
manner, through a terrific storm of musket balls and 
canister, shot at short range. The impetuous command- 
er, gallantly supported by his eager men, made repeated 
efforts to dislodge the enemy and carry the main works 
on Tunnel Hill, but the gallant and determined resis- 
tance made by General Patrick R. Cleburne and his di- 
vision of veteran soldiers successfully barred the way. 

It was while leading his men up the rugged slopes at 
Tunnel Hill that General Corse was severely wounded 
and borne from the field. Captain Robert Allison, 6th 
Iowa, was instantly killed, a musket ball passing through 
his brain. 



CHATTANOOGA 237 

It being impossible to maintain the advance position 
gained by the brigade, without sustaining serious loss, 
the order was given to form a few yards back under the 
crest of the hill. This position was held until 3 p. m., 
when the enemy came out of his works in large force, 
marching in heavy masses at close order with bayonets 
fixed. Then it was that the men of the Second Brigade 
took revenge for the punishment they had received from 
the enemy, while safe under cover of his breastworks. 
When General Corse was borne from the field Colonel 
Walcutt assumed command of the brigade and in his re- 
port of the engagement, said : 

In an instant every man was at his post and poured into the 
enemy volley after volley, that sent him running back to his 
works. ... In this fight Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, Sixth 
Iowa, behaved with marked bravery. 

The fighting had been hotly contested by all the com- 
mands of the corps during the day and continued all 
along the line until dark, when the brigade was relieved 
by other troops. The men who had approached so near 
to the enemy's works in the charge and who had remained 
concealed on the rugged slope of the ridge during the day, 
were also enabled to get away under cover of night. 

It was well known at sundown, by all the troops en- 
gaged in the operation at Tunnel Hill and the north end 
of Missionary Ridge, that a great battle had been fought 
during the day by the armies commanded by General 
Grant, and that the Confederate forces under General 
Bragg, occupying Lookout Mountain and Missionary 
Ridge as an investing army, had been assailed with great 
fury in all their positions. But most of the men, ex- 
hausted and hungry, slept on the battlefield, chilled to 



238 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the bone by tlie cold frosty November night, without full 
knowledge of the great victory won by the Army of the 
Cumberland. 

The enemy evacuated the position at Tunnel Hill dur- 
ing the night, and at daybreak on the morning of the 
26th, the Second Brigade and the Fourth Division at the 
head of the 15th Army Corps, crossed the East Chicka- 
mauga Creek in pursuit of General Bragg 's fleeing army. 

Sixth Iowa officers were mentioned for conspicuous 
and gallant service, while doing staff duty during the op- 
erations, as follows : Dr. A. T. Shaw, Division Surgeon, 
Captain W. H. Clune, Assistant Adjutant-General [As- 
sistant Inspector-General], Major Thomas J. Ennis, and 
Lieutenant John T. Grimes on the staff of General Corse. 
General Walcutt said that ^'too much praise cannot be 
bestowed upon all the officers and men of the Second 
Brigade for their gallantry during the entire engagement 
. . . . We had no lurkers ; on the contrary, each man 
endeavored to out do the other. ' ' 

General Sherman, in his official report of the oper- 
ations, mentions the part taken by General Corse's bri- 
gade as follows: 

The sun had hardly risen before General Corse had complet- 
ed his preparations, and his bugle sounded the "forward". . 
. . The line advanced to within 80 yards of the intrenched 
position, where General Corse found a secondary crest, which 
he gained and held. . . . the enemy's artillery and musket- 
ry fire swept the approach to his position, giving him great ad- 
vantage. As soon as General Corse had made his preparations 
he assaulted, and a close, severe conflict ensued, lasting more 
than an hour, gaining and losing ground, but never the position 
first obtained, from which the enemy in vain attempted to drive 
him. . . . The fight raged furiously about 10 a. m., when 



CHATTANOOGA 239 

General Corse received a severe wound, and was brought off the 
field, and the command of the brigade and of the assault at that 
key point devolved on that fine, young, gallant officer, Colonel 
Walcutt. . . . who filled his part manfully. 

Denying a mistaken impression had at Chattanooga 
that his forces had been repulsed, he said : 

Not so ; the real attacking columns of General Corse, Colonel 
Loomis, and General Smith were not repulsed. They engaged in 
a close struggle all day, persistently, stubbornly, and well. 
When the two reserve brigades of General John E. Smith fell 
back as described, the enemy made a show of pursuit, but were 
caught in flank by the well directed fire of one brigade [Corse's] 
on the wooded crest, and hastily sought his cover behind the hill. 
Thus matters stood about 3 p. m. 

On the morning of the 25th, before daylight. General 
Hardee sent this message to General Cleburne : 

Tell Cleburne we are to fight, that his division will undoubt- 
edly be heavily attacked, and that he must do his very best. 

A Confederate staff-officer,^^ serving with General 
Cleburne's division at that time, in a communication in 
the Southern Historical Society Papers, said : 

A heavy mist had prevailed throughout the day on the 24th, 
but the morning of the 25th of November broke bright and clear. 
Before the sun was fairly up the troops were called to arms by 
picket firing, followed soon after by the line and artillery, and 
the conflict soon rose to the dignity of a general engagement. 
Repeated attempts were made to carry Cleburne's position, and 
the assaulting columns were repulsed and hurled bleeding down 
the slope, only to reform and charge again in gallant but vain ef- 

17 Captain Irving A. Brock's CWburne aiid his Division at Missionary 
Eidge and Binggold Gap in the Southern Historical Society Papers, Vol. 
VIII, pp. 464-475. 



240 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

fort. Cleburne 's veterans found f oemen worthy of their steel in 
the army commanded by Sherman and led by such lieutenants as 
Corse, Ewing, Leightburn, and Loomis. Almost the entire day 
was consumed. The enemy, met at every advance by a plunging 
and destructive artillery fire, followed, when in range, by a with- 
ering fire of infantry, were repulsed at all points, and slowly and 
stubbornly fell back. In some instances squads of them finding 
shelter behind the obstructions afforded by the rugged sides of 
the hill, kept up a damaging sharp-shooting until dislodged by 
stones hurled down upon them b}^ the Texans. 

This officer reported: 

Cleburne's line, with his left resting near the right of the 
tunnel, extended over a circular wooded hill occupied by Smith's 
(Texas), Liddell's (Arkansas), and Polk's (Tennessee) brig- 
ades. The right flank was protected by Lowry's (Mississippi 
and Alabama) brigade .... After nightfall Cleburne 
was charged by General Hardee with the duty of covering the 
movements and bringing up the rear of the right wing as it with- 
drew to Chickamauga station. 

Officially reported, the 15th Army Corps sustained 
losses as follows : killed, 20 officers and 202 men ; wounded, 
112 officers and 1151 men; captured, 19 officers and 191 
men ; total, 1695 men. ^® Loss in the Second Brigade : 
killed, 3 officers and 31 men ; wounded, 16 officers and 194 
men ; captured, 2 men ; total, 246 men ; aggregate present 
and in the fight, 920 men. 

The losses in the Sixth Iowa, stated in detail, are as 
follows : 

Killed: Captain Eobert Allison, Company C; Cor- 



18 The official return of casualties for the Fifteenth Corps was 12 
officers and 127 men killed, 87 officers and 887 men wounded, and 4 officers 
and 61 men missing. — War of tlie Bebellion: Official Records, Series I, 
Vol. XXXI, Pt. 2, p. 87. 



CHATTANOOGA 241 

poral William Kellogg, Sergeant Robert Mitchell, and 
Private George H. Wiglitman, Company A; Corporal 
David Gladf elder. Company D; Private Liberty H. Ken- 
nedy, Company F; Private Robert B. Davis, Company 
Gr ; Private George W. Pratt, Company I ; Private Alex- 
ander Dalton, Company K. 

Mortally Wounded and Died: Private William A. 
Jones, Company A, December 24, 1863 ; Private Thomas 
J. Barrows, Company F, December 30, 1863; Private 
William A. Richardson, Company G, December 24, 1863. 

Wounded: Major Thomas J. Ennis, severely. 

Company A, Corporal Jeremiah Freeman, in the foot 
severely; Sergeant Charles A. Huston, in the shoulder 
severely ; Private Thomas R. Thompson, in the leg severe 
ly; Private William H. Vandyke, in the arm severely; 
Private Eliakin S. Wilson, in the hand ; Private Isaac N. 
Wood, in both legs and in the head severely. 

Company B, Corporal Jesse L. Adkins, in the face 
severely ; Corporal Harvey Ford, in the right arm ; Pri- 
vate Isaac R. Plymate, in the leg. 

Company C, Private Martin V. Allen, left arm ampu- 
tated. 

Company D, Private Reuben M. Beamer, in the left 
shoulder severely; Private Elon G. Ashby, in the side 
severely; Private Uri Hallock, severely in the side and 
arm ; Private Samuel D. Ham, severely in the thigh ; Pri- 
vate William H. Martin, in the forehead severely; Private 
Alexander Maring, in the breast severely ; Private Joseph 
F. Payton, in the knee severely; Private Lloyd Wailes, 
in the arm severely. 

Company E, Captain Leander C. Allison, in the ear; 
Private Ira W. Gilbert, in the head slightly; Corporal 
George W. Hibbard, severely in the right side and 



242 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

through the right shoulder; Corporal Harrison Hicken- 
looper, right arm broken and resection of bone between i 
elbow and shoulder ; Sergeant John H. Key, in the shoul- 
der severely ; Sergeant Henry Eoberts, in the foot, ankle 
and back ; Sergeant Stephen Gahagan, in the neck, slight- i 

ly. 

Company F, Private Edward Chambers, between the 
shoulders severely by fragment of shell ; Private Thomas 
Carson, in the head slightly; Private Elam Ford, in the 
head severely ; Private Isaac Gregg, in the head and lung 
severely; Private Frederick B. Johnson, in right thigh 
severely, bone shattered ; First-Sergeant Edwin R. Ken- 
nedy, in left leg below knee ; Captain Calvin Minton, in 
right arm severely; Private Charles W. Miller, in left 
knee slightly; Private John Tobin, in the hip severely; 
Private Charles W. Wright, in the face severely. 

Company G, Sergeant John Gardner, in the right hand 
severely; Sergeant Samuel J. Plymesser, in right leg 
slightly ; Corporal John Ditto, in right hand severely. 

Company H, Private Charles L. Allen, in the face se- 
verely; Captain George R. Nunn, in the leg severely; 
Private 0. C. Snyder, in the face slightly. 

Company I, Corporal John Hannum, in the foot ; Pri- 
vate John Sherm, in the shoulder severely ; Private David 
Silversmith, in shoulder severely; Private Daniel J. 
Smith, in the face severely; Jacob B. Thomas, in the 
shoulder severely. 

Company K, First-Lieutenant William H. Arnold, in 
the hand slightly ; Private John Berrie, in the face ; Pri- 
vate WiUiam H. Barr, in the ankle slightly; Corporal 
John C. Ferree, in left hand ; Private John M. Grim, in 
the thigh severely and right arm slightly; Corporal Jas- 
per Ogden, in the groin severely ; Private Joseph Poots, 



CHATTANOOGA 243 

in right hand slightly; Private Asbury Smith, in the leg 
slightly; Private William Scott, in the head severely. 
Total 55 men. 

Prisoners: Private William Ayers, Company G, Oc- 
tober 28, 1863, near Gravelly Springs, Alabama, while 
scouting; Private Lafayette Antrobus, Company I, Mu- 
sician James B. Adams, Company K, and Private Thomas 
P. McEveny, Company H, November 22, 1863, in Wills 
Vallej'^, near Trenton, Georgia. 

The total casualties in the Sixth Iowa were 9 killed, 3 
mortally wounded, 55 wounded, and 4 prisoners. 

The Confederate army under General Bragg, flushed 
^vith the advantage they had gained over the Army of 
the Cumberland at Chickamauga in September, had main- 
tained a partial investment of Chattanooga since that 
:ime. General Grant's objective was to raise the siege 
md drive General Bragg 's araiy away. The operations, 
julminating on the 25th, routed the Confederate army, 
md the Union army occupied Lookout Mountain and 
\Iissionary Ridge. The whole north shouted the praises 
)f Grant, Sherman, Thomas, and Hooker. Congress 
Dassed a resolution of thanks to General Grant and the 
irmies under his command, for the splendid victory. 
President Lincoln sent him his "God bless you all", and 
;he whole army was again buoyant and confident. 



XVI 

KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 

Major-General A. E. Burnside had led an expedition into 
East Tennessee and occupied the city of Knoxville, the 
IDrincipal town and commercial center of that section, 
vnth. 12,000 troops. During the first week of November, 
General James Longstreet with his Confederate army 
corps of 20,000 veteran troops was detached from Gen- 
eral Bragg 's army then investing Chattanooga and sent 
against General Burnside. 

After the defeat of General Bragg 's army and the rais- 
ing of the siege at Chattanooga, a column commanded by 
General Sherman was at once set in motion by General 
Grant for the relief of Knoxville, then closely besieged 
by General Longstreet 's army. 

At the break of day on Thursday morning, November 
26th, the enemy 's works on Tunnel Hill — so stubbornly 
defended the day before — were found unoccupied, save 
by the dead and severely wounded of both friend and foe, 
mingled together on the inigged heights where they fell. 

A vigorous pursuit of the fleeing enemy was commenced 
at once. The Second Brigade, in its place with the rest 
of the Fourth Division at the head of the 15th Army 
Corps, marched across the Chickamauga Creek on the 
pontoon bridge near its mouth and pushed forward in 
the direction of Chickamauga dejoot. The column travel- 
ed 10 miles and camped near Boyce Station. In the wake 
of the retreating enemy scenes were presented that war 
alone exhibits: corn and meal in hugh piles burning, 

244 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 245 

broken wagons, abandoned cannon, camp and garrison 
equipage, baggage, arms, and great quantities of every 
dnd and description of abandoned property strewed on 
the wagon road and along the railroad track. In the 
aiidst of a cold and disagreeable rain, the regiment was 
engaged in destroying the railroad, tearing up the track, 
turning the ties, and bending the rails. The 15th Army 
Corps effectually destroyed several miles of track and 
burned the important bridges. 

The troops to compose the relieving column for Knox- 
i^ille were designated by General Grants November 28th, 
tvhile at Graysville, as follows: the 11th Army Corps, 
Major-General 0. 0. Howard commanding; Second Divi- 
don, 14th Army Corps, Brigadier-General Jefferson C. 
Davis commanding; Second and Fourth divisions, 15th 
irmy Coi^ps, Major-General Frank P. Blair commanding, 
jreneral Sherman was placed in command of the whole 
expedition. 

The column started at 8 a. m., on the 29th, and marched 
lU day in cold and freezing rain. It passed through 
Julian's Gap and camped at the country town of Cleve- 
and at 9 p. m., tired and hungry. The distance marched 
ivas 25 miles. The troops marched 12 miles the next day 
md camped at Charleston, where it was announced that 
jreneral Burnside's army was completely invested and 
lad provisions only to include December 3rd. General 
Sherman determined to make all possible haste with his 
column to the relief of the 12,000 besieged soldiers in 
;he mountain town of Knoxville, 84 miles distant. 

Seven days before, the troops of the 15tli Army Corps 
lad left their camps on the west side of the Tennessee 
Eliver, with three days cooked rations in haversacks, 
ivithout a change of clothing, stripped for the fight, with 



246 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

but a single blanket or coat per man, from private to Gen- 
eral commanding. After the battle there had been no 
provisions issued, and none were to be had except what 
were picked up along the road from the enemy's aban- 
doned supplies, and what could be gathered from the 
country, already stripped of everything by the enemy. 

On December 1st, the troops were supplied with ra- 
tions early in the morning. They then marched through 
Charleston, crossed the Hiawassee River, passed through 
Riceville, and camped at Athens, a pretty little countiy 
town, many of whose inhabitants were loyal to the Union. 
The distance for the day was 19 miles. The column 
started at daylight, on December 2nd, passed through 
Athens and Mouse Creek Station, and after marching 20 
miles, camped at Philadelphia' at 8 p. m. 

General Gordon Granger's column from the Army of 
the Cumberland joined the expedition during the night, 
and all moved forward at daylight, December 3rd, and 
camped at Morganton, on the Little Tennessee River, 
the distance marched being 15 miles. It was the inten- 
tion that the troops and wagon trains should ford the 
river, but it was found to be too deep, and the water 
freezing cold; its width was 240 yards and its depth 
from 2 to 5 feet, with a rapid current. 

On December 4th, the troops remained camped while 
the pioneer corps, assisted by large details of men from 
the commands, were engaged constructing a bridge for 
crossing the river. The little village of Morganton was 
demolished to secure material for the construction of the 
bridge. Tools were scarce, but with the few axes, saws, 
hammers, picks, shovels, and hatchets, and under the 
skillful direction of an engineer officer, crib-work and 
strong trestles were made of the material from the houses. 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 247 

and at dark, troops and trains were crossing over the 
bridge. Under the skillful direction of Lieutenant Ed- 
win F. Alden, 6th Iowa, Acting- Quartennaster on the 
staff of Colonel Walcutt, the Second Brigade was success- 
fully ferried across the river late in the evening and 
saniped 2 miles out from the river for the night. 

The column marched at 7 a. m., on December 5th, and 
damped after dark at the country town of Marj^ville in 
the midst of a cold drizzling rain, having marched 18 
iiiles. It was announced in the camps that General Long- 
street's army had assaulted the works at Knoxville, on 
the 29th of November, and had been repulsed with great 
slaughter, and, that on December 4th, his army had 
abandoned the siege and retired in the direction of Vir- 
^nia. The rapid approach of General Sherman's for- 
midable column had caused General Longstreet to give 
ip the siege; Knoxville was relieved and the object of 
;he campaign fully accomplished. 

General Bumside gracefully acknowledged the service 
rendered by the relieving army in a letter to General 
Sherman, dated December 7th, as follows : 

I desire to express to you and your command my most hearty 
hanks and gratitude for your promptness in coming to our re- 
ief during the siege of Knoxville, and I am satisfied that your 
ipproach served to raise the siege. 

A majority of the inhabitants of East Tennessee, un- 
ler the leadership of Andrew Johnson and W. G. Brown- 
ow, were strong Unionists. The troops were hailed with 
^'reat joy by the citizens along the routes of march. The 
^tars and Stripes were displayed from many houses, 
Lud the welcome was as cordial as if the column had been 
aarching across Iowa. The loyal women vied with each 



248 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

other as to who should be the most generous in the di- 
vision of their scant supply of provisions with the hun- 
gry soldiers. A feast of hot biscuit, honey, and fresh 
pork, was the usual bill of fare. Every man in the Sixth 
Iowa, who marched to Maryville in East Tennessee, has 
the most kindly recollection of the hospitable treatment 
received at the hands of the Union people in that section, 
and especially the generous treatment by the loyal women 
of that "Switzerland" of the United States, the wives 
and daughters of loyal men who were serving in the 
Union army. 

A ceaseless rain, deep mud, and the cold wintery blasts 
of December did much to mar the grandeur of the natural 
scenery and beauty of that wonderful mountain region. 
Both armies had passed back and forth through the rich 
valleys, levying tribute upon friend and foe alike, until 
the country was almost entirely stripped of provisions 
and stock. The able bodied men were all gone from their 
homes, some in the Confederate armies, but the larger 
immber in the Union service, and the rest were hiding in 
the mountains to avoid the Confederate conscripting 
officers. 

At 7 a. m., on December 7th, in a cold chilling rain the 
return march was commenced over almost impassable 
roads. After marching 19 miles, the command camped 
on the Little Tennessee River opposite Morganton. 

At an early hour the next morning, in the midst of 
heavy rain the column crossed the river on the tempor- 
ary bridge, traveled on the Tellico Plains road, passed 
through Madisonville, and camped at Athens, on the 10th, 
having traveled a distance of 37 miles. Here the troops 
were halted for several days. The rain was incessant 
and the weather very cold. Every fierce blast of the win- 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 249 

teiy wind that shrieked and wailed among- the leafless 
branches of the tall oaks brought vividly before the shel- 
terless soldier the comforts of a far off home. At night 
the blazing camp-fires gave a roseate hue to the gloomy 
surroundings, and shouts of laughter and the hum of 
many voices, mingled with jolly songs, would float away 
on the chill evening air. With only scant and ragged 
uniforms, soleless shoes, a single blanket, short rations, 
the men made their beds on the wet and frozen ground, 
slept soundly and dreamed of home and comfort. 

It would make a book to relate the incidents of personal 
daring and adventure, to say nothing of the many brisk 
skirmishes and encounters had with the enemy's cavalry 
and local partisan bands, while foraging. Bold raids 
were made into the coves and valleys, far from the column 
and the camps, where mills were started to grinding, 
making flour and meal, and other provisions and stock 
were gathered in large quantities for the use of the army. 

Hair-breadth escapes and feats of great personal dar- 
ing performed during the day were highly interesting- 
camp-fire recitals at night. To mention some, where all 
displayed such commendable courage and soldierly con- 
duct, would be an injustice to the rest. Hardly a man 
in the regiment but what could relate an incident of great 
personal daring at some time during the campaign. That 
such freedom and license was permitted without whole- 
sale rapine and pillage, is a mark of high credit to the 
manhood of the rank and file and the good discipline in 
the army. 

No doubt but what there were isolated cases of crimi- 
nal injustice done and acts of personal violence inflicted 
upon the inhabitants, but such cases were ver}^ rare and 
they were never condoned or tolerated, when the guilty 



250 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

parties could be apprehended. Theft and criminal vio- 
lence practiced in the regiment was just as heinous and 
disgraceful in the eyes of the men as if done at home, or 
in time of peace in their own country. 

On December 14th, the column marched 15 miles to the 
Hiawassee River. It crossed the river the next morning, 
passed through Charleston and camped at Cleveland, 
having marched a distance of 15 miles. The troops 
started at 9 a. m., on the 16th, marched 15 miles in a cold 
drenching rain; and, on the 17th, started at daylight, 
marched 13 miles and camped on Missionary Ridge, 4 
miles from Chattanooga. The corps passed through 
Chattanooga, on the 18th, marched around Lookout Point 
and camped one mile from Whiteside Station. On De- 
cember 19th, the column marched at an early hour, passed 
through Shellmound, crossed the Tennessee River on a 
pontoon bridge at Bridgeport, Alabama, and camped in 
that vicinity. The distance marched in two days was 45 
miles. 

Thus practically ended a campaign which had called 
the 15th Army Corps from Vicksburg to the relief of the 
army at Chattanooga. In his exhaustive report of the 
campaig-n, General Sherman sums up the results as fol- 
lows : 

In reviewing the fact I must do justice to my command for 
the patience, cheerfulness, and courage which officers and men 
have displayed throughout in battle, on the march, and in camp. 
For long periods, without regular rations or supplies of any 
kind, they have marched through mud and over rocks, some- 
times barefooted, without murmur. Without a moment's rest, 
after a march of over 400 miles, without sleep for three successive 
nights, we crossed the Tennessee, fought our part of the battle of 
Chattanooga, pursued the enemy out of Tennessee, then turned 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 251 

Qore than a 120 miles north and compelled General Longstreet 
raise the siege of Knoxville, which gave so much anxiety to 
he whole country. ... I cannot speak of the Fifteenth 
Irmy Corps without a seeming vanity, but, as I am no longer its 
jommander, I assert there is no better body of soldiers in Ameri- 
!a than it, or who have done more or better service. . . . 
in General Howard throughout, I found a polished and Chris- 
ian gentleman exhibiting the highest and most chivalric traits 
)f the soldier. 

On December 20tli, the troops received the months ac- 
cumulated mail, signed pay-rolls on the 21st, and re- 
ceived two months pay on the 22nd. The weather was in- 
tensely cold on the 23rd, the ground being frozen. The 
brigade started at an early hour, on the 24th, marched 10 
[niles and camped a mile below Stevenson in a dismal 
swamp, bordering on a creek running bankful of muddy 
water, caused by the heavy rains — with, here and there, 
a dead mule floating in it. 

On Christmas day, December 25, 1863, in the camp of 
the Sixth low^a and the rest of the Second Brigade, the sit- 
uation was about as cheerless and uninviting as can w^ell 
be imagined ; a damp foggy day, chill and cold ; short ra- 
tions and no conveniences for preparing the scant supply. 
The day will ever be memorable in the mind of every man 
who spent that dreary Christmas in the midst of the dis- 
comforts of that Alabama swamp — with "mule soup" 
for dinner. He that had a hardtack, a piece of raw bacon, 
and a cup of hot coffee, supplemented with a plug of store 
tobacco, was possessed of rare luxuries, enjoyed by only 
a few. 

The continuous marching, scouting, skirmishing, and 
participating in one of the great battles of the war, after 
leaving the camps at Vicksburg, had so decimated the 



252 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ranks, that there were scarcely 200 men present for duty 
with any of the regiments in the division. 

A change of misery is sometimes a relief. On the 26th, 
the command bade farewell to the Christmas camp in tlie 
swamp, passed through Stevenson, marched west on the i 
track of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and 
camped at Bellefonte. There was a steady downpour 
of rain during the entire 10 mile march. In a cold freez- 
ing rain, the command marched 7 miles to Scottsboro, 
Alabama, the next day, where it was announced the com- 
mand would halt and erect winter quarters. On the 29th, 
regular camps were laid out and the erection of quarters 
commenced. The weather continued rainy and cold, 
freezing ice on the streams thick enough to bear up gov- 
ernment teams, while the ground was frozen solidly. 

While in Lookout Valley, Colonel Oliver with his 
mounted regiment, the 15th Michigan, was assigned to 
take charge of all stock, supply trains, camp equipage and 
surplus baggage, and proceed to the north side of the 
Tennessee River in North Alabama, and remain there 
until the return of the command. Colonel Oliver with his 
command, the trains, and baggage — what there was left 
of it — rejoined the division at the Scottsboro camp. 
Rude shanties and log-huts were quickly built, so that all 
were housed and fairly comfortable, though the weather 
had set in cold and wintry. Full supplies in rations and 
clothing were issued, and everybody settled down to the 
routine duties of a winter camp. 

The 15th Army Corps was stationed at points on the 
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, from Stevenson to 
Hunts\dlle, Alabama, with the Fourth Division at Scotts- 
boro, guarding the line of the Tennessee River. The lo- 
cation of the camps at Scottsboro was uniformly pleas- 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 253 

ant and most picturesque, situated at the base of a tower- 
ing spur of the great Cumberland mountains, Avith a level 
plain thickly dotted mth farms and large plantations, 
stretching south 7 to 10 miles to the Tennessee River. 
With the mnter camp fully established, many of the 
squads and messes abounded with comforts and good 
cheer. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander J. Miller had assumed 
command of the regiment at Jackson and had remained in 
continuous command; without ostentation, but with a 
firm will and puii^ose to do his duty as a commander. 
He had enforced strict discipline and had led in the charge 
and heat of battle with skill and courage, eliciting the 
praise of his superiors and the admiration and respect 
of the men and officers alike, in the regiment. 

Tested in the crucible of campaign and battle. Major 
Thomas J. Ennis was the ideal soldier, a gentleman in 
the highest sense, he was admired and cheerfully obeyed 
by all. 

Dr. William S. Lambert, Surgeon in charge of the med- 
ical department of the regiment, had, by his faithful and 
skillful services, gained the confidence and respect of all 
who came under his care and protection. Dr. Lambert 
always found the wounded soldier where he fell and there 
applied the emergency remedies in the iury of battle. 

The company commanders and subordinate officers had 
been equally conspicuous in battle and faithful in the dis- 
charge of every duty; but none were more faithful and 
gallant than Captain Robert Allison, who was killed at 
Missionary Ridge, and Captain CaMn Minton, severely 
wounded in the same engagement. 

The noblest examples of devoted patriotism and faith- 
ful service, of honesty and loyalty to principle and duty. 



254 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

who were seldom recognized by personal praise and al- 
most without hope of future reward, were the private 
soldiers. The men who deserve the most gratitude are 
not the men of rank, but the men in the ranks. 

The roster of the Sixth Iowa bore the names of several 
hundred heroes, who had earned that distinction by acts 
of personal daring and devotion to duty, while on the 
march, on picket, in the trenches, on scouts, in skirmishes, 
and in battle ; neither privation, heat, cold, hunger, toil, 
danger, nor wounds could ever impair their constancy. 

The paramount question agitated and discussed was 
the reenlistment of the regiment for the war. Captain 
Jolm L. Bashore was designated as the enlisting officer 
for the veteran service. The exactions of the campaigns 
for the year had been so exhausting and trying, that many 
of the men hesitated about making new engagements and 
entering into extended obligations. But duty called loud, 
and as the arguments were presented, pro and con, a ma- 
jority of the men reenlisted for the war. The bounty of 
$300 offered and a thirty-day furlough at home were in- 
ducements that allured many to join the list of veteran 
volunteers. Grave changes in home affairs after enlist- 
ment caused some to believe it their duty to quit at the 
expiration of their term of enlistment; others had been 
severely wounded and were practically disabled for fur- 
ther service; and, still others declined to extend their 
term of service, believing they would have performed 
their whole duty when completing their three year en- 
listment, while a very small number said they had had 
enough of war. 

On the 1st day of January, 1864, the Sixth Iowa had 
on its rolls 538 men, present and absent. The field re- 
turn of the Fourth Division for January showed 200 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 255 

officers and 3482 men present for duty, mth an aggregate, 
present and absent, of 7038 men. 

From the beginning of the war, the Union sentiment 
was strong in North Alabama among the non-slave hold- 
ing population, and especially in the mountain districts. 
General 0. M. [?] Mitchell's division of General BuelPs 
army had occupied the territory in the summer of 1862, 
when the Union sentiment w^as first developed. The ad- 
vent of General Sherman's column advancing to Chatta- 
nooga and the location of the winter camps for his army 
in the territory, gave the Union people great confidence. 
The First Alabama Union Cavalry had been mostly re- 
cruited from the counties lying north of the Tennessee 
River, so that their home relatives and friends were 
friendly to the Union occupation of the country. The 
manners and customs of the inhabitants were somewhat 
peculiar, but distinctive with them as a people. 

The venturesome and restless spirits in the Sixth Iowa 
had not remained long in camp, until they had scouted 
over every mountain, explored every valley, cove, and 
neighborhood, within scouting range of the camp. A 
lively trade was established between the soldiers and citi- 
zens by the exchange of surplus rations for frugal meals 
of corn dodger and fresh pork. 

The expeditions to the country were highly spiced with 
the element of danger, on account of several local bands 
of Confederate rangers, who patroled in all the neighbor- 
hoods. The Tennessee River being the recognized line 
dividing the hostile forces, forays were of frequent oc- 
currence by both parties, on either side of the river. All 
were soon familiar with the names of Captain Smith, 
Buck May, Peter Whitecotton, Peter Bollard, and Cap- 
tain Mead, noted partisan leaders in that vicinity. Gen- 



256 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

eral Joseph Wlieeler guarded the south bank of the river 
with General Philip D. Roddey in immediate command of 
the cavalry troops picketing the river. 

During the first two weeks of Januarj^ 1864, the weath- 
er was extremely cold, with rain, snow, and hard freez- 
ing. On January 12th, seven companies of the Sixth 
Iowa started out on a foraging trip, with 40 wagons, and 
crossed the mountain to Fowler's Cove on Paint Rock 
Creek, a distance of 20 miles. Here a gay time was had 
by the men attending pleasant parties and dances, gotten 
up by the citizens of the neighborhood. The next day 
the troops crossed Larkin's Creek, secured 40 wagon 
loads of grain and fodder, recrossed Paint Rock and 
camped on the mountain, having traveled 10 miles. The 
festivities of the night before were renewed, and on the 
14th, the expedition returned to camp at sundown, the 
distance marched being 21 miles. 

Sunday inspections were had in quarters, which were 
the only ceremonies attempted, on account of the incle- 
ment weather. Each regiment in the brigade took its 
turn in doing picket guard duty for 24 hours, which was 
usually made disagreeable, on account of rain and snow. 

On January 22nd, the other three companies of the 
regiment were sent on a foraging expedition, with a 
large train of wagons, to the Henry plantation on the 
Tennessee River, 20 miles away, where the wagons were 
loaded and the command returned to camp next day. 

The buglers sounded the assembly at 11 a. m., January 
29th, and the veterans marched to division headquarters 
where they were sworn into service for three years or 
during the war. 

On February 1st, the regiment went to Larkin's Land- 
ing on the Tennessee as escort for a large train of wag- 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 257 

)ns, but the pontoon bridge was out of repair and the 
vhole expedition returned to camp the same day. The 
'egiment started again the next day, with the same train 
)f seventy-five wagons, and proceeded down the Tennes- 
see River to the vicinity of Claysville [!] where forage 
vas procured and the return march made to camp, on the 
)th. 

On February 8th, Brigadier-General Hugh Ewing, com- 
nanding the Fourth Division, was transferred to the 
jommand of the post at Louisville, Kentucky, and Briga- 
iier-General William Harrow, from the Army of the Po- 
tomac was assigned to the command of the division, 
k.n expedition of fourteen regiments from the 15th Army 
Jorps, commanded by Brigadier-General C. L. Matthies, 
-etumed to Chattanooga. 

On February 22nd, a national salute was fired at the 
leadquarters in honor of Washing-ton's birthday, and on 
:he 26th, the non-veterans in camp were paid two months 
3ay. The withdrawal of so many troops for expeditions 
lad so reduced the force along the line of the railroad, 
:hat those remaining were required to perform double 
the former duty on gniard and outpost duty — serving 
ilmost constantly. Doing outpost duty on cold wintry 
tiights, in drenching rains and chilling snowstorms, with- 
3ut shelter, laid the sure foundation for the almost uni- 
versal affliction of rheumatism among the survivors of 
the war. 

The three years prosecution of the war for the Union 
iiad developed the necessity of a General to be in supreme 
3onmiand of all the armies, equal to the emergency, who 
30uld fight and win battles without regard to obsolete 
theories in the old books of military science as practiced 
in old time wars. The operations of the Union armies 



258 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

had been divided into separate departments, each acting 
independently, ''like a balky team, no two ever pulling 
together". Everyone confidently believed that the pend- 
ing campaign would be fought with the courage of des- 
peration and that its result would decide the victor. 

The Act of Congress reviving the grade of Lieutenant- 
General in the army and President Lincoln's appoint- 
ment of General U. S. Grant to the position, with author- 
ity to direct all military operations, was hailed in the 
army and by all supporters of the government, with great 
satisfaction. The organization and preparation of the 
forces in eveiy department and army had already com- 
menced ; officers were being selected and assigned to bri- 
gades, divisions, and army corps, who had developed a 
capacity as capable leaders in former campaigns. 

The enemy was equally energetic in the concentration 
of every man at the fighting point, and the accumulation 
of every remaining resource to meet the forces gathering 
for the gigantic conflict that was inevitably pending. 
The two main Confederate armies were commanded by 
General Robert E. Lee in Virginia and General Joseph E. 
Johnston in Georgia. The combined Union armies in 
the Potomac department were designated to go against 
the Confederate army of Northern Virginia, in the vicin- 
ity of Richmond ; while the Army of the Cumberland, the 
Army of the Ohio, and the Army of the Tennessee, under 
the command of General William T. Sherman, would as- 
sail the Confederate Army of Tennessee commanded by 
General Johnston, and posted in the rugged mountain 
fastnesses of North Georgia. 

The Union and Confederate armies, as organized at 
that time, were composed of the best veteran soldiers in 
the world. The people of all nations and civilized coun- 



KNOXVILLE AND SCOTTSBORO 259 

tries were interested observers of the gigantic struggle 
n the great American Republic, and it was well under- 
stood by all that it would be a clash at arms such as had 
lot been witnessed in modern wars. All hope of peace- 
ible settlement had been abandoned and the gage of 
)attle must decide the issue. 

The guard and picket duty continued to be irksome and 
ittended with severe exposure. The 26th Illinois re- 
umed from veteran furlough on March 4th, and, on the 
ith, the expedition under General Matthies to Chattanoo- 
ga returned and resumed their old quarters. On March 
>th, the 46th Ohio departed for their homes on veteran 
urlough. Under the inspiration of a few days of pleas- 
mt weather, company and battalion drills were indulged 
ti by all the regiments at the station. Sunday inspection 
^as had, on the 13th, and the next day, the reenlisted men 
eceived veteran pay, each recei\dng from $175 to $200. 
Company and battalion drills were practiced during the 
orenoon of the 15th, with grand maneuvers by the whole 
ivision in the afternoon — General Harrow in command. 

The orders for the veterans to start home on furlough 
*^ere read on parade the evening of the 17th, and the 
ext day at noon they boarded the cars at the station and 
^ere off for Nashville, where the train arrived the next 
ay at dark. The men camped in the Zollicoffer Build- 
ig over night, embarked on board the steamer "Louis- 
ille" the next day, and at 4 p. m., March 20th, steamed 
own the Cumberland River, passed Cairo and arrived 
t St. Louis, where the city newspapers announced the 
rrival of ' ' 350 officers and 45 privates of the Sixth Iowa 
'eteran Infantry Volunteers en route home on veteran 
[irlough". On arrival at the city of Keokuk, the com- 
anies separated and each individual soldier departed by 



260 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the most convenient route for home, there to spend 30' 
days among kindred and friends. The non-veterans 
maintained the camp at Scottsboro, pending the return of 
the veterans. 

Only those who participated in the festivities of the 
occasion can ever know the enjoyment and good cheer had 
during those 30 days. The veterans reassembled at 
Davenport and departed for Chicago, on April 28th, 
thence by railroad to Indianapolis, Louisville, and Nash- 
ville. They arrived at Chattanooga, May 5th, late in the 
day, marched out and camped near Rossville Gap, on 
Missionary Ridge, where the non-veterans and the trains 
with the camp equipage had just arrived from Scotts- 
boro, along with all of the 15th Army Corps. The bat- 
talion of non-veterans had continued to perform the ard- 
uous duties at the Scottsboro camp, in the never ceasing 
rain and chilling wind, until they marched to Chatta- 
nooga to join the veterans. 



XVII 

THE BATTLE OF RESACA 

Major-General William T. Sherman had succeeded Gen- 
eral Grant in the command of the Military Division of the 
Mississippi, embracing the departments and armies of 
the Cumberland, Ohio, and Tennessee. He had put his 
whole soul and titan energy into the labor of organizing 
and equipping the forces he was to lead through the cen- 
ter and heart of the Confederacy. The military problem 
before him was to dislodge and destroy the Confederate 
army concentrated at Dalton, Georgia, and commanded 
by General Joseph E. Johnston. To carry out that pur- 
pose he had stripped the posts and stations in his terri- 
tory of all veteran troops and had them assembled in the 
vicinity of Chattanooga. 

The great battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, 
and Missionary Ridge indicated the character of cam- 
paigning and fighting that might be expected in the pend- 
ing conflict. Both armies were in the best condition 
possible as to organization and equipment. The military 
skill, intelligence, and high personal character of the men 
composing the rank and file of both armies were a devel- 
opment of the highest type of American volunteer sold- 
iers — the best fighters in the world. 

On May 1, 1864, the effective strength of the Union 
army, in round numbers embracing all arms, was 98,797 
men and 254 pieces of artillerj\ It was composed of 
three armies as follows : Army of the Cumberland, Gen- 
eral George H. Thomas commanding: infantry, 54,568; 

261 



262 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

artillery, 2377; cavalry, 3828; total, 60,773 men, and 130 
guns ; Army of the Tennessee, General James B. McPher- 
son commanding: infantry, 22,437; artillery, 1404; cav- 
alry, 624; total, 24,465 men, and 96 guns; Anny of the 
Ohio, General John M. Schofield commanding: infantry, 
11,183; artilleiy, 679; cavalry, 1697; total, 13,559 men, 
and 28 guns. Grand aggregate: troops, 98,797; gTins, 
254. '' 

The three army commanders — Thomas, McPherson, 
and Schofield — were educated militarj^ officers, and men 
of high character, and mde experience and knowledge, 
making them in every way admirably qualified for the 
important commands to which thej^ were assigned. 

To resist this formidable force. General Johnston had 
assembled in the vicinity of Dalton, 30 miles south of 
Chattanooga, the Confederate Army of Tennessee, num- 
bering about 80,000 men and 188 pieces of ai-tillery. It 
was composed of four army corps, as follows: First 
Corps, Lieutenant-General W. J. Hardee commanding: 
present for duty, 25,782 men, and 48 guns ; Second Coi"ps, 
Lieutenant-General John B. Hood commanding: present 
for duty, 24,379 men, and 36 guns; Third Corps, Lieu- 
tenant-General L. Polk commanding: present for duty, 
18,660 men, and 50 guns; Cavalrj^ Corps, Lieutenant- 
General Joseph Wheeler commanding: present for duty, 
16,535 men, and 18 guns; Artilleiy Reserve: 1225 men, 
and 36 guns. Grand aggregate : 86,581 troops, and 188 
guns.^** 



19 The returns for April 30, 1864, give the following: Army of the 
Cumberland, 61,561 infantry, 8826 cavalry, 2551 artillery; Army of the 
Tennessee, 22,308 infantry, 678 cavalry, 1394 artillery; Army of the Ohio, 
9262 infantry, 2951 cavalry, 592 artillery; aggregate 110,113 men. — War 
of the Bebellion: Official Records, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, Pt. 1, p. 115. 

20 The official Confederate returns for June 10, 1864, give the strength 



BATTLE OF RESACA 263 

General Johnston was an educated soldier and a skill- 
fnl commander, second only to General Robert E. Lee in 
the Confederate service. His corps commanders were all 
three educated soldiers, and commanders of great skill 
and reputation. 

The troops present and composing the Army of the 
Tennessee at the beginning of the campaign, were desig- 
nated as follows : 15th Army Corps, General J. A. Lo- 
gan — First Division, General P. J. Osterhaus, Second 
Division, General M. L. Smith, Fourth Di\'ision, General 
W. Harrow, and the Third Division, General John E. 
Smith guarding the railroad in North Alabama; 16th 
Army Corps, General G. M. Dodge commanding, with two 
divisions present. 

The Fourth Division, 15th Army Corps, was composed 
of three brigades as follows : First Brigade, Colonel R. 
Williams — 26th and 90th Illinois, 12th and 100th In- 
diana; Second Brigade, Colonel C. C, Walcutt — 46th 
Ohio, 103rd Illinois, 97th Indiana, and 6th Iowa; Third 
Brigade, Colonel J. M. Oliver — 48th Illinois, 99th In- 
diana, 53rd and 70th Ohio, and 15th Michigan ; First Iowa 
Battery, Captain H. H. Griffiths, and Battery F, 1st Hli- 
nois, Captain J. H. Burton. 

On May 1st, the 15th Corps broke Avinter camps in 
Alabama and marched to Chattanooga, arriving on May 
5th. The Sixth Iowa detachment of 80 non-veterans and 
recruits had reported to Major Giesy of the 46th Ohio, 
and marched Avith that command to Chattanooga. All 

of General Johnston's army as follows: Hardee's Corps, aggregate 
present, 26,644 men and 47 guns; Hood's Corps, 20,647 men and 36 guns; 
Polk's Corps, 18,600 men and 50 guns; Cavalry Corps, 16,535 men and 
18 guns; Artillery Eeserve, 1225 men and 36 guns; total 82,413 men and 
187 guns. — War of the ^Rebellion: Official Becords, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, 
Pt. 3, p. 677. 



264 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

surplus baggage, camp and garrison equipment and trans- 
portation were turned over and stored in camps estab- 
lished near Chattanooga — stripping the troops for a 
fight. 

The campaign was formally and actively inaugurated 
on May 6, 1864, by all the armies moving against the 
fortified positions of the enemy in and about Dalton, 
General McPherson leading the turning column and aim- 
ing for Resaca. The Second Brigade marched at 10 a. 
m., the 97th Indiana taking its place in the brigade col- 
umn for the first time ; crossed Missionary Ridge through 
Rossville Gap; passed over the Chickamauga battlefield, 
on the La Fayette road ; and camped at Crawfish Springs, 
on Chickamauga Creek, a distance of 12 miles from the 
starting point. The heavy cannonading during the day, 
indicated that General Thomas had assailed the strong 
positions of the enemy, at ''Rocky-face" and ''Buzzard 
Roost". 

The Sixth Iowa camped the first night with 400 men 
present for duty. It started at 9 a. m.. May 7th ; crossed 
Chickamauga Creek at Lee and Gordon 's Mills, on a pon- 
toon bridge; halted for the 16th Corps to pass to the 
front; and camped at midnight, a distance of 10 miles 
having been marched. 

May 8th, the regiment broke camp at 9 a, m., passed 
through the pretty little county seat town of La Fayette, 
Georgia, and camped for the night at the village of Villa- 
now, on Taylor's Ridge, at the west end of Snake Creek 
Gap. The oppressive heat during the daytime, coupled 
with the dusty roads, and blockading columns of march- 
ing troops and long wagon trains, caused the progress to 
be tedious and very fatiguing for the men. The con- 
tinued roar of artillery during the day to the left had 



BATTLE OF RESACA 265 

marked the progress of the battle between the main 
armies at Dalton. 

Within the past ten days, the reenlisted veterans of 
the regiment had been transferred from the scenes of 
home and friends in Iowa to the top of a Georgia moun- 
tain in the midst of raging war. The pretty trinkets 
and decorations of personal adornment, accmiiulated dur- 
ing the happy days at home — so appropriate and be- 
coming at balls and receptions — were soon discarded ; 
and, under the strain of hard marching and with a gnaw- 
ing appetite, the men began to relish raw bacon, hardtack, 
and strong coffee. 

The troops marched through Snake Creek Gap, on the 
9th, and camped in Sugar Valley, a distance of 10 miles 
from the gap. It seems incredible that a large army 
could pass, as it did, over the dim country road that leads 
through the pass and down the little valley, lying between 
the rugged mountains, so quickly, with foot, horse, and 
supply trains. 

The small division of cavalry, commanded by General 
Kilpatrick, had preceded the infantry column and had 
opened the engagement in the vicinity of Resaca, by brisk 
skirmishing. In one of the skirmishes the general was 
severely wounded. 

On May 11th, the division fortified, by constructing a 
line of field works across Sugar Valley, covering its 
front. Pickets and scouts, stationed on the high ridges 
to the left, looking up the valley towards Dalton, wit- 
nessed the enemy's marching columns of troops, with 
their long trains of wagons and immense herds of beef 
cattle, all moving south in the direction of Resaca — a 
station on the Atlantic and Western Railroad, where it 
crosses the Oostanaula River. The lines were advanced 



266 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and the new lines of earthworks and rifle-pits construct- 
ed in the midst of a refreshing rain and spirited skir- 
niisliing by the advance forces. 

On May 13th, General Harrow's Fourth Division was 
formed on the left in the line of the 15th Corps, with the 
First Brigade deployed in front, followed closely by the 
Second Brigade in line of battle, and the Third Brigade in 
reserve, in column of regiments. 

The 100th Indiana was deployed as skirmishers, with 
Major Ruel M. Johnson in command, who pushed rapidly 
forward, engaging and driving the enemy from their po- 
sition on a commanding ridge. The First Brigade was 
hotly engaged for several hours, mth musketry and ar- 
tillery, driving in the enemy's outposts. At 4:30 p. m., 
the Second Brigade relieved the front line and was placed 
in position on the crest of the ridge running parallel with 
the position and works occupied by the enemy, at a dis- 
tance of 300 yards. 

Major A. Willison, 103rd Illinois, was severely wound- 
ed and his horse killed by a bursting shell, while directing 
the advance of his command. There were many men in 
the brigade who had always felt the lack of proper lang- 
uage to express their feelings on certain occasions; but 
none, ever after that day, had a doubt but what the major 
could do the subject justice, on any and all occasions. 

The enemy was found in heavy force, occupying a for- 
midable position along the crest of a ridge or range of 
hills, with lines of rifle-pits on the slopes and along the 
banks of Camp Creek, a deep stream of water meander- 
ing the valley between the lines. 

The Sixth Iowa formed the right of the brigade line, 
connecting with the First Division, while the left of the 



BATTLE OF RESACA 267 

brigade line made connection with the 20th Army Corps, 
commanded by General Joseph Hooker. Companies F 
and I were advanced as skirmishers, taking and holding 
the spur of a hill in the front, about 100 yards from the 
enemy's works. The advance was gallantly made under 
a severe fire of musketry and artillery. 

Casualties during the day were as follows: killed — 
Private David Shearer, Company F; mortally tvounded 
— Private Samuel Hart, Company F, died. May 24th; 
wounded — Private Coleman Barber, Company F, leg- 
amputated; Private Harlan M. Stewart, Company F, 
slightly; Corporal James Buchanan, Company C, in the 
head, severely. 

The Confederate army had abandoned the strong 
position at Dalton and taken up a new one at Resaca to 
meet the Army of the Tennessee 's flank movement. The 
w^hole force of the Union army had closed in on them, 
and was pressing the siege at every point. 

At an early hour, on May 14th, companies F and H 
drove the enemy back again and opened an effective fire 
on their main line of fortifications, preventing the use of 
artillery along their front. 

At 2 p. m.. Major Ennis went forward with companies 
B, G, and K, and at the signal by the bugle, the line 
charged gallantly forward, B and K through an open 
field, under a galling fire of musketry and canister shot, 
driving the enemy from a strong position along a creek- 
bed, which was held. Major Ennis and Captain George 
W. Holmes, Company K, were mentioned in reports for 
the gallant manner in which they had led in the affair. 

There was severe fighting all along the lines through- 
out the day, and at many points charges and counter- 
charges — in large force — were precipitated, all result- 



268 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ing in the steady advance of the Union lines. At even- 
ing companies C, D, and E, together with companies F 
and G, already on duty, occupied the skirmish line. 
They were furnished with intrenching tools and at once 
fortified on the banks of the small creek, along which the 
line extended. The other five companies of the regiment 
were moved during the evening, along with the Second 
Brigade, by the right flank to the support of the First 
Division, which had charged and captured a strong po- 
sition. 

Casualties during the day were as follows: killed — 
Private Uriah M. Davis, Company K ; mortally wounded 
— William D. Tull, Company B — who died on the bat- 
tlefield ; wounded — Sergeant Charles A. Huston, Com- 
pany A, severely; privates John Campbell, two fingers 
on right hand ; William J. Hamilton, Company B, in the 
left thigh, severely; Samuel G. Musselman, Company B, 
in the left hip and abdomen, severely ; Private Jesse W. 
Adams, Company D, in the arm, severely; Lieutenant 
Edward A. Canning, Company E, ruptured while building 
fortifications; Corporal Charles Bilka, Company G, in 
the foot, severely; Private Henry Gould, Company G, 
slightly ; privates John Lawler, in the hand, severely, and 
William H. Moore, Company H, in the hand, severely; 
Corporal John C. Ferree, Company K, in the left foot, 
severely; Private Alexander R. Savage, Company K, 
in the head, slightly ; Private Macon C. Van Hook, Com- 
pany K, in the side, severely. 

On May 15th, the battle raged all along the ten miles 
of trenches, occupied by the contending armies. The 
Sixth Iowa skirmishers, being well covered by rifle-pits, 
kept up a brisk fire during the day, keeping the enemy 
close inside of his fortifications. Companies D and G 



BATTLE OF RESACA 269 

vere relieved at evening and joined the main part of the 
•egiment, supporting a battery on the line of the First 
division, where an artillery duel was carried on for an 
lour, with great fury. One casualty occurred, Private 
ybert H. Callen, Company D, being killed. 

The enemy evacuated the position during the night, 
crossing the army and all material to the south side of 
;he Oostanaula River, before daylight. The casualties 
n the regiment for the three days were : killed, 3 ; died of 
ivounds, 2 ; wounded, 16 ; total, 21 men. 

Colonel Walcutt commanding the brigade, mentioned 
Lieutenant- Colonel A. J. Miller and Lieutenant John T. 
jrimes, for the efficient manner in which they discharged 
their duties, and, of the men, he said : 

There had been no brilliant general engagement ; nothing done 
;o put the test to the men, but in all my campaigns I never saw 
nen in such excellent condition or exhibit a greater eagerness 
:o do anything required of them. 

The pursuit was commenced at once and the Army of 
the Tennessee crossed the Oostanaula River at Lay's 
Ferry on a pontoon bridge put in by the 16th Corps and 
went into camp on the field, where the Second and Sev- 
enth Iowa regiments and other troops had been heavily 
engaged with the enemy, at the time the crossing was 
effected at the ferry. At 10 p. m., a furious rainstorm 
broke over the camp, accompanied by vivid lightning 
and crashing thunder, more deafening than had been the 
terrific artillery firing along the Resaca hills. 

On the 17th, the pursuit was pressed with vigor, caus- 
ing heavy skirmishing and some artillery firing in the 
evening. On the 18th, the column passed through Adairs- 
ville and camped 3 miles south of town, on an elegant 



270 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

plantation owned by an Englishman. The heavy filing,; 
kept up during the day, on the 19th, along the front ofi 
all the pursuing columns, was the evidence that the enemy 
would be found at bay, before crossing another river. 
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed among the troops, 
inspired by the brilliant success had in the first stage of 
the campaign. 

In an address to his army, General Johnston told them 
that their communications were now secure and that the 
army would turn upon the advancing columns of the 
enemy and give him battle. His army was found posted 
on the hills about the county seat town of Cassville, in 
full battle array. The Union columns had rapidly closed 
up and adjusted their lines, conforming generally mth 
the Confederate position. 

The open plantations and gently sloping hills in the 
vicinity of Cassville formed an ideal theatre for action 
and maneuver by two great hostile armies, and the pros- 
pect of the approaching conflict was equally inspiring to 
the men in the ranks of both armies. The skirmishing 
during the afternoon, while taking position and adjust- 
ing the lines, was spirited and at several points rose to 
the importance of a battle. The artillery on both sides 
engaged with great spirit during the evening, displaying 
wonderful accuracy in their firing. Night closed down 
over both of the great armies skillfully posted in battle 
array, when all hostile demonstrations ceased and the 
tired soldiers slept. 

On account of a disagreement among the army com- 
manders on the Confederate side, the position and plans 
for a battle were abandoned and the wily Confederate 
commander slipped away, during the night, with his 



BATTLE OF RESACA 271 

whole army and took up a new position in the Allatoona 
Mountains, on the south side of the Etowah River. 

The Fourth Division of the 15th Army Corps occupied 
a position in the lines formed near the village of Kings- 
ton, at the junction of the Rome Railroad with the West- 
ern and Atlantic, leading to Atlanta. Here it remained 
in camp during the next three days. The second stage 
of the campaign had been successfully accomplished, with- 
out a pitched battle by the two great armies. 

It was while recuperating in the camp at Kingston that 
Lieutenant E. F. Alden brought the news of the death of 
Lieutenant Cyrus P. Wright, at the field hospital, near 
Resaca, on May 16th, at 11 p. m., of small pox. He was 
stricken with the dread disease while commanding his 
company in the engagement at Resaca. There, also, died 
at the same hospital, of the same dread disease, Private 
Michael Picket, Company D, on May 19th, and Private 
Antoine Lamott, Company H, on May 21st. 

The troops had stripped themselves to just the clothes 
they had on, viz : hat, blouse, shirt, pants, shoes, socks, a 
wool or rubber blanket, canteen, haversack, gun, and cart- 
ridge box. These articles were absolutely necessar}^ for 
an outfit and nothing else was permitted or desired. 
Each man provided himself mth a tin cup or can, and in 
it he boiled his coffee. A 30 minute halt of the column in 
dry weather was sufficient time to prepare and dispose 
of a full meal. 

The troops readily and cheerfully submitted to the 
hardships of the service and the scanty supply of rations 
that was sometimes issued, when they saw the example 
set by the commanding General halted at the roadside 
munching hardtack and raw bacon or sleeping on the bare 
ground with only his saddle for a pillow and no covering 



272 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

save a small cotton tent fly stretched over a pole or a rail. 
A large majority of the enlisted men, the private soldiers 
in the ranks, were close and intelligent observers of every 
sound and sign that would indicate the positions and 
movements of the forces, and were generally as well in- 
formed as the officers of rank, who had immediate com- 
mand of them. The eminent success, which had attended 
all of the operations of the campaign, had increased the 
confidence the men had in their commanding officers, so 
that they had come to fairly idolize General Sherman, 
and believed him supreme and equal to any emergency. 
The whistle of the locomotive on the repaired railroad 
was greeted by the troops with loud demonstrations of 
joy, being evidence that those who were charged with 
supplying the army were almost keeping pace with the 
skirmish line. 

All previous operations by the Army of the Tennessee 
had been along the Mississippi River and other navigable 
streams, where all necessarj^ provisions for hospitals and 
the care of sick and wounded existed, but the medical 
staff of the army was soon overwhelmed in the hills and 
mountains of Georgia, far away from the great floating 
hospitals. 

The county seat town of Rome, Georgia, situated at 
the junction of the Oostanaula and Ttowah, forming the 
Coosa River, and the terminus of the branch railroad 
leading out from Kingston, was seized and occupied by a 
division of the Union forces. Measures were at once 
adopted and the general field hospitals of the Army of 
the Tennessee established at Rome, General Sherman 
giving positive assurance that it would be held and pro- 
tected. It was the metropolis for a large section of rich 
plantation country; the inhabitants composed the best 



BATTLE OF RESACA 273 

element of culture and refinement in the State, and it was 
justly celebrated for its salubrity. 

General Thomas' army was bivouacked about Cass- 
ville, General Schofield's at Cassfield Depot, and General 
McPherson's at Kingston, occupying the rich and popu- 
lous country about the Etowah River. The three days 
rest had been highly beneficial to the troops, giving an 
opportunity to wash and recuperate generally, ready for 
the next stage of the campaign. 

The troops broke camp on May 23rd, crossed the Eto- 
wah River at Wooley's bridge, which had been spared by 
the enemy, marched 20 miles southwest in the direction 
of Van Wert, and camped at night on Euharlee Creek. 
The day was extremely hot, and the roads very dusty. 

In the general movement against the enemy's position 
in the Allatoona Mountains, located on the line of the 
Pumpkin Vine Creek, the Army of the Tennessee was 
again assigned to the right flank and designated to lead 
the turning column in the grand maneuver for dislodg- 
ing the enemy in the third stage of the campaign. Twen- 
ty days supplies for the army had been loaded on the 
wagon trains, consisting of hard bread, bacon, sugar, 
coffee, and salt, which were closely guarded by the troops 
in the marching columns. 

The almost perfect system and order had in marching 
the heavy columns of troops and trains over a wooded 
and rough country, intersected by deep and rapid flow- 
ing streams, was the pride of the commanding officers and 
the means which had established that abiding confidence 
in the ranks of the army. The morale of the army was 
at the highest state of perfection and the men were buoy- 
ant in spirit. 

The army marched 8 miles towards Dallas, on May 



274 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

24th, and camped at 1 jd. m., in the midst of a refreshing 
shower of rain. The enemy was found during the day 
making dispositions to meet and resist the flank move- 
ment, now f ullj^ developed. At 4 :30 p. m., the 20th Army 
Coi'ps, commanded by General Joseph Hooker, made a 
^dgorous assault on the enemy's position at New Hope 
Church, defended by General Hood's Army Coi-ps, where 
the bloody engagement was prolonged far into the night, 
without gaining any substantial advantage. The affair 
closed with a terrific artillery duel, lasting until a late 
hour at night. 



XVIII 

DALLAS: NEW HOPE CHURCH: BIG SHANTY 

On May 26tli, the Fourth Division marched to a position 
2 miles west of Dallas and camped in line of battle, form- 
ing the right flank of the general line of battle. 

During the forenoon of May 27th, the Fourth Divis- 
ion passed through the county seat town of Dallas and 
took position on the right of the Second Division of the 
15th Corps, across the Dallas and Villa Rica road. The 
Third Brigade was on the left, the Second Brigade in the 
center, and the First Brigade on the right, formed at 
Qearly right angles with the road, and being the extreme 
right flank of the army. The Second Brigade, composed 
of the 46th Ohio, under Major Giesy; the 103rd Illinois 
under Colonel Dickerman ; the 97th Indiana under Colo- 
nel Catterson; and the 6th Iowa under Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Miller, occupied the crest of a ridge in front on the 
Villa Rica road and connected with the general line to 
the left. 

Skirmishers w^re advanced and soon became hotly 
engaged with the enemy, driving them in to the protec- 
tion of their main line of earthworks. These were in 
plain view on the opposite side of a wooded valley, at a 
distance of about 600 yards, with artillery in position. 
The remainder of the 15th Army Corps was disposed in 
line of battle to the left of the Fourth Division, the Sec- 
ond Division in the center and the First Division on the 
left, connecting with the right of the 16th Corps. 

At one p. m., the enemy commenced a terrific shelling 

275 

[9 



276 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

of the 15th Corps' position, lasting for more than aii^ 
hour, when their infantry was formed and assaulted the 
Union position with great fury. The attack was per- 
sisted in for an hour, directed chiefly against the position ., 
held by the Second Brigade, with the evident purpose of , 
securing the ridge and the Villa Rica road. Omng to , 
the sudden attack and its location in the line, it became 
necessary for the 6th Iowa to advance, which it did most 
gallantly, meeting the enemy with bayonets fixed. The 
assault failed and the enemy retired to his line of works, 
leaving his dead and severely wounded on the field, and 
a large number of prisoners. 

General Walker's division of General Hardee's corps 
made the assault, and it was the 8th Mississippi that came 
in contact with the 6th Iowa, and was repulsed, leaving i 
their dead and wounded and some prisoners. During the 
evening De Gress' Illinois battery of Parrott guns was 
planted on the high hill at the left of the brigade, occu- 
pied by the 97th Indiana. Incessant fighting had marked 
the days proceedings all along the lines, without any de- 
cided advantage gained by either side. 

The day dawned bright and clear, on May 28th, with 
brisk skirmishing extending along the entire front. 
Early in the morning, while inspecting the skirmish line 
in company mth Colonel Miller, Adjutant Newby Chase, 
of the 6th Iowa, was mortally wounded by a musket ball 
fired by a sharpshooter posted behind a large tree on the 
enemy's skirmish line. The ball passed through his neck, 
severing the windpipe, from the effect of which he died, 
on the 30th day of May, 1864. He was a very gallant ajid 
most efficient officer. 

The skirmish firing was maintained during the day on 
both sides with great spirit, and at 3 :30 p. m., the 15th 



DALLAS : NEW HOPE CHURCH : BIG SHANTY 277 

Army Corps' artillery opened a rapid fire with shot and 
shell, which was promptly and vigorously responded to 
by the enemy's guns. Three guns of the First Iowa bat- 
tery were run out along the Villa Rica road to the skir- 
mish line and opened fire on the enemy 's main works with 
great spirit. At almost the same instant that the guns 
commenced firing, a second assault, in greater force and 
with more determination than the day before, was made 
on the position of the Second Brigade, and also involv- 
ing the brigades on the right and left. The struggle was 
maintained with great spirit and determination by the 
enemy for two hours, when they abandoned the field in 
defeat. 
In his report of the engagement, General Logan said : 

The 28th opened with rapid skirmishing which continued un- 
til 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon, when .... [Hardee's 
Corps] .... made determined assaults in columns of 
regiments. . . . with the utmost dash and confidence. . . 
. The fighting at this point was close and deadly. As line up- 
on line of the enemy debouched upon the plateau, within eighty 
yards of our works, they were met by a front and flank fire 
from brave men, who stood unflinchingly to their guns, under 
the orders of their efficient officers. Colonel Walcutt, com- 
manding the brigade engaged, stood on the parapet, amid the 
storm of bullets, ruling the fight. Line after line was sent back 
broken to their works, and in half an hour the assault was over, 
their dead and wounded only occupying the ground on which 
they advanced. 

The enemy, to cover the withdrawal of his discomfited 
and shattered battalions and guard against a counter- 
charge, opened a most terrific shelling of the lines with 
more than 40 pieces of field artillery, which was replied 
to ^rith vigor by De Gress' rifled guns and all the other 



278 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

batteries on the line, the duel lasting nearly an hour and 
producing sad havoc with the frail works and tearing the 
timber into shreds. 

The men of the Sixth Iowa, who were on the skirmish 
line, had joined the Iowa batterymen in a heroic effort to 
remove the three guns back to the works, but they had 
been temporarily abandoned to the enemy. The men of 
the Second Brigade pursued the enemy's retreating lines, 
with shouts of victory and volleys of musketiy, until all 
the guns were recovered and the outposts reestablished. 

Glorious victory as it was, and severe as the punish- 
ment was to the enemy, it cost many precious lives in the 
Second Brigade to accomplish it. Colonel Willard A. 
Dickerman, commanding the 103rd Illinois, and Major 
Henry H. Giesy, commanding the 46th Ohio, were both 
killed during the heat of the engagement, while directing 
and encouraging their men. Lieutenant-Colonel Alex- 
ander J. Miller, commanding the 6th Iowa, was severely 
wounded, while gallantly leading his men, and was borne 
from the field. 

General W. B. Bates' division of General Hardee's 
corps led the assault on the second day supported by W. 
H. T. Walker's, B. F. Cheatham's, and P. R. Cleburne's 
divisions, and H. R. Jackson's cavalry division. The 
Florida Brigade, composed of five regiments of infantry 
and one of dismounted cavalry, assailed the position oc- 
cupied by the Second Brigade and lost heavily in killed 
and wounded. A captain of cavalry was killed a few 
feet in front of the rifle-pits occupied by the Sixth Iowa. 

The following are the casualties sustained in the Sixth 
Iowa for both days : — 

Killed: First-Lieutenant Francis F. Baldwin, Com- 
pany C ; privates Robert H. Osborn, John M. C. Potts, 



DALLAS: NEW HOPE CHURCH: BIG SHANTY 279 

and George F. Scott, Company C ; Private George Black, 
Company D; Private George W. Babington, Company 
F ; Private John Bigham, Company K. 

Mortally Wounded: Private Anthony W. Surle, Com- 
pany C, died June 7th, in the general hospital at Chatta- 
nooga ; Private John Eogers, Company F, died Jmie 15th, 
at the Allatoona Pass hospital ; Adjutant Newby Chase, 
died May 30th. 

Wounded : Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander J. Miller, in 
the arm, severely; Company A, Corporal Lemuel Bald- 
win, skull fractured ; First-Lieutenant Rodney F. Barker, 
in the left breast and arm by a musket ball ; Company B, 
Sergeant William Cowden, in the right arm, severely — 
permanently disabling him ; Company D, Sergeant Thom- 
as Foster, in the head, severely by grapeshot; Company 
E, Private Calvin Barnard, left arm amputated ; Private 
William J. Collett, severely in the left leg just above the 
knee; Private George W. Hibbard, in the right arm, 
slightly; Private James P. Spinks, severely in the right 
hand — two fingers off ; Company F, Private Isaac Gregg, 
severely ; Sergeant Jeremiah Rhodes, slightly ; Company 
H, Private Daniel Fitz-Henr\^, in the shoulder, severely; 
Sergeant James Swan, in the hand, severely; Private 
Isaiah Ware, in left hip, severely; Company I, First- 
Lieutenant George W. Clark, concussion by shell, result- 
ing in serious deafness; Corporal Samuel Smith, severe- 
ly ; Private John A. G. Sala, slightly ; Company K, First- 
Lieutenant William K. Arnold, in the shoulder, slightly; 
Private John A. McKernan, arm amputated. 

Prisoners : Company D, Private George Trussell, died 
in Andersonville, September 10, 1864; Company F, Pri- 
vate Thomas W. Garner, paroled May 6, 1865; Private 
Henry Terry, released in December, 1864. 



280 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Total: 7 killed, 3 mortally ivounded, 19 ivounded, 3 
prisoners. 

May 29th, was marked by brisk skirmish firing all along 
the front lines, rising to the roar of an engagement at 
times. The enemy made a demonstration during the 
night by loud cheering and furious musketry firing along 
the entire front lines of the 15th Corps, causing a sleep- 
less night in the Union trenches. No serious damage 
was done to either side and the whole affair was probably 
the result of a false alarm; but, nevertheless, occurring 
as it did in the still of the night, it was a worse hair rais- 
ing affair than was the real battle in the daytime. 

Major Ennis assumed command of the regiment with 
Lieutenant Grimes Acting Adjutant. On May 30th, the 
Foui-th Division started to march to the left, when the 
enemy attacked along the front with heavy firing and 
loud cheering and the troops quickly resumed their places 
in the trenches where they remained without further 
serious molestation. On May 31st, the situation re- 
mained substantially the same, with spirited skirmish 
firing and terrific ai-tillery duels during the day. The 
marching and counter marching of large bodies of troops 
inside of the enemy's lines during the day had indicated 
that they were preparing for another assault, but night 
closed down over all wdthout further demonstration. 

On June 1, 1864, at the break of day, the withdrawal 
from the trenches by the Fourth Division was commenced 
again and successfully accomplished, with the enemy's 
skirmishers following close after the rear guard and skir- 
mishing briskly. The column moved to the left in the 
rear of the lines along the Pumpkin Vine road to the rear 
of General Hooker's 20th Corps, a distance of 6 miles, 



DALLAS : NEW HOPE CHURCH : BIG SHANTY 281 

nd relieved his troops, occupying the trenches vacated 
ly them. 

The position was in a dense woods of large trees with a 
ank growth of vegetation covering the whole surface, 
^^hich had been trampled into the soft oozy ground and 
ras fast decaying, under the influence of a June day sun. 
Dhe small pools and sluggish streams of water in the vi- 
inity were all filled with foul water drained from the 
urface occupied by the troops and animals connected 
viih. the army. The stench arising from a large number 
>f dead horses and mules and many dead men, mostly ly- 
ng between the lines of contending forces, was sickening 
md almost intolerable. Both sides had fortified and con- 
inued to hold their lines within a few yards of each 
)ther, barring all opportunity for burying the dead. 

The skirmish firing was incessant, day and night, at 
;hort range, so that a head appearing above the works 
vas almost certain to be pierced by a rifle ball, aimed by 
:he vigilant sharpshooters in the enemy's advance rifle- 
)its. 

Demonstrations were of frequent occurrence, day and 
light, started by both sides, when musketry and artil- 
ery firing would be furious, and last for an hour or more 
?ach time. During such actions the troops in the pits 
md trenches were usually safe from harm, but the effect 
lad, among the thousands of animals, the headquarters 
md the hospitals in the rear of the lines, was totally 
iemoralizing. 

Fine showers of refreshing rain, on the 3rd and 4th, 
20oled the heated atmosphere and revived everybody. 
Wliile the rain was cooling and refreshing at the time to 
the men in their cramped and dangerous position in the 
trenches, it also flooded the swampy ground occupied, 



282 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

making the position almost untenable, except to lie in 
mud and water. To get pure fresh water for drinking 
and cooking purposes the men went long distances to 
springs and unadulterated streams and carried it in their 
canteens. 

Timothy Holmes, private in Company G, was shot 
through the head with a rifle ball and instantly killed, on 
the 4th, while on duty in the trenches. He was a charac- 
ter in the regiment, of generous disposition, kind hearted 
and gallant as a soldier. The expressions of sorrow by 
his comrades were sincere and heartfelt as they viewed 
his body lying in the muddy trench. 

The 40th Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel R. S. Barnhill 
commanding, returned from veteran furlough and joined 
the brigade on the 5th, where they were received mth 
many expressions of hearty welcome. 

At the break of day on the morning of June 5th, the 
enemy's works were found evacuated, except for a few 
men in the skirmish pits, who were captured. The Al- 
latoona Mountain position was secured and the army 
extended to the railroad south of that position. At 8 
a. m., the Fourth Division and the 15th Army Corps 
started to the left, passed in the rear of the Army of the 
Cumberland, traveled 7 miles and camped for the night. 
The troops marched 8 miles on the 6th, passed through 
the village of Acworth, a station on the Western and 
Atlantic Railroad, and camped two miles south of town. 
The 15th Army Corps had been transferred from the ex- 
treme right flank of the army, at Dallas, to the new left, 
at Acworth, holding the railroad south of Allatoona. 

The maneuver from Kingston to the right, and the bat- 
tles at New Hope Church and Dallas, had compelled the 
enemy to abandon the strong position in the Allatoona 



DALLAS : NEW HOPE CHURCH : BIG SHANTY 283 

Mountains and take up a new one at Lost Mountain 
Pine Hill, and Kenesaw Mountain. Thus was success- 
fully completed the third stage of the campaign. 

On the 8th of June, the 17th Army Corps, Major-Gen- 
eral F. P. Blair commanding, composed of General M. D. 
Leggett's and General W. Q. Gresham's divisions, joined 
the Army of the Tennessee at Acworth. 

On June 9th, the Second Brigade supported General 
K. Garrard's division of cavalry and General J. T. Wild- 
er 's brigade of mounted infantry on a reconnoissance to 
Big Shanty, 8 miles south on the railroad. The enemy's 
outpost of cavalry and artillery was found at that place 
and driven away by the cavalry and mounted infantry 
after a sharp fight, lasting an hour. 

Standing at Big Shanty, the first view was had of 
Kenesaw Mountain, a bold and striking twin mountain, 
lying in the immediate front, with a range of rugged hills 
extending to the northeast beyond Noonday Creek and 
terminating at Brush Mountain. Pine Hill lying to the 
right and west, and still beyond it in the distance the dim 
outline of Lost Mountain could be seen, near the posi- 
tion occupied by the 15th Corps at Dallas. 

The sharp conical crests of these mountains above the 
surrounding woodlands and cleared plantations marked 
the strategic points of the impending struggles in that 
vicinity. The vast and beautiful landscape was enchant- 
ing to behold, presenting a rural scene of quiet and beau- 
ty, soon to be rudely disturbed by the clash of arms. 
The brigade returned to Acworth at 7 p. m., having 
marched 16 miles. 

The whole army moved forward on the 10th. The 15th 
Corps took position and fortified on the railroad one 
mile south of Big Shanty, with the Fourth Division in 



284 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

reserve at Big Shanty. The skirmishing was brisk dur- 
ing the day and ended in the evening with a spirited artil- 
lery duel, participated in by 100 guns, as the advance 
lines went into position and fortified. 

Tlie Fourth Division remained in camp at Big Shanty 
for four days, during which time it rained almost inces- 
santly, causing the narrow country roads to become im- 
passable for army transportation in wagons. 

The army was in position on the new line as follows : 
Schofield on the right, at Lost Mountain ; Thomas in the 
center, moving on Pine Hill ; McPherson on the left, mov- 
ing down along the railroad in front of Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, his left flank extending east to Noonday Creek, 
which was protected by Garrard's division of cavaliy. 
The Confederates were in position with their left rest- 
ing at Lost Mountain ; their center covering Pine Moun- 
tain; and the right extending east across the railroad and 
covering Kenesaw Mountain. The length of the lines was 
fully 12 miles, with fortifications extending the entire dis- 
tance in front of both the Union and Confederate armies. 

On the 14th, Lieutenant-Gene ral Polk was killed by a 
cannon ball, fired from a Union battery, which struck 
him while standing on Pine Hill, in company with other 
distinguished Confederate officers, observing the posi- 
tions of the Union forces. He was a distinguished mili- 
tary officer and a Christian man, beloved by his soldiers 
and trusted as a commander. 

On June 15th, the Fourth Division moved to the left 
flank of the army, held by the 17th Army Corps, for the 
purpose of making a demonstration against the enemy's 
right flank resting on a wooded ridge beyond Noonday 
Creek. General Harrow reached the point indicated and 



DALLAS : NEW HOPE CHURCH : BIG SHANTY 285 

disposed the division as follows: the Second Brigade, 
Colonel Walcutt commanding, in line of battle in front; 
the 103rd Illinois on the right; the 40th Illinois on the 
left; the 46th Ohio and the 6th Iowa filling the center; 
and the 97th Indiana deployed as skirmishers in front. 
The Third Brigade formed the second line, in line of 
battle, while the First Brigade was disposed to protect 
the left flank of the assaulting column. 

The bugles sounded the advance and the men struggled 
forward through a thicket of tangled undergrowth, briars, 
and vines to an open field which lay sloping down to 
Noonday Creek, when the enemy opened fire from his 
rifle-pits along the creek and also from the fortified po- 
sition on the heights beyond, with musketry and artillery. 
The crackling fire of musketry, the crashing volleys of 
artilleiy, and loud cheering by the men in the assaulting 
lines, responded to with volleys and defiant yells by the 
enemy posted in his pits and breastworks, soon rose to 
the dignity of a battle. 

AVhen the charging line reached Noonday Creek — a 
narrow, deep stream with steep banks — the men plunged 
into it and climbed up the opposite bank, carrying the 
rifle-pits and capturing the 31st Alabama Regiment, in- 
cluding the Colonel, 20 officers, and 400 men. Without a 
halt the advance was continued and the heights and main 
works handsomely carried, routing the rest of General 
Pettus' brigade of Alabama troops. The broken frag- 
ments of the enemy's fleeing forces were pursued over 
the ridge, across a wide plantation field and into the tim- 
ber fully a mile beyond the position they had occupied. 
The affair was brilliant and eminently successful. The 
brigade held the captured position until evening, when it 
was relieved by other troops and returned with the divis- 



286 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ion to a position in the rear of the 15th Army Corps lines. 

The Sixth Iowa loss was as follows : 

Killed : First-Lieutenant John T. Grimes, Acting Ad- 
jutant, shot from his horse while leading in the charge; ; 
Private John Hubler, Company D, shot through the '. 
heart ; Private Oscar Bostrand, Company I, killed instant- 

ly. 

Wounded: Private Albert J. Johnson, Company B, 
by a musket ball in the left thigh — permanently dis- 
abled; Corporal Abraham W. Morris, Company B, left 
leg amputated ; Coi*poral John A. Miller, Company B, in 
left foot, bones broken and permanently disabled ; First- 
Sergeant John H. Key, Company E, severely; Private 
John Spallman, Company H, in the breast. 

The total casualties were 8 men. The brigade loss was 
reported at 63 killed and wounded. 

The Fourth Division remained in reserve camp until 
the 25th of June, when it w^as ordered to the right and took 
position at the west base of Kenesaw Mountain, relieving 
Colonel John G. Mitchell's brigade of the 14th Army 
Corps. From the 16th to the 22nd of June, it rained al- 
most incessantly, both day and night, flooding the whole 
country and rendering the wagon roads mere mud gullies. 

The enemy had abandoned the positions at Lost Moun- 
tain and Pine Hill and was concentrated at Kenesaw, the 
storm center. The crest of Kenesaw was occupied by the 
enemy's best batteries, securely intrenched. At even- 
ing, when relieved from the burning heat of the day, the 
batteries from their mountain height would open fire and 
precipitate a duel participated in by more than a hun- 
dred guns, which echoed far and mde over that beauti- 
ful southern section. The scene presented amid the roar 
of cannon was grand and beautiful to behold. The great 



DALLAS : NEW HOPE CHURCH : BIG SHANTY 287 

cloud of white smoke rolling away from the enemy's guns 
on the crest of the mountain and the heavy fringe of 
smoke rising from the Union batteries at the base and 
floating away over the deep green of the forest covered 
hills, all tinged with the mellow glow of the setting sun, 
mil never be forgotten by those who witnessed it, from 
either side. But slight harm ever came to either side by 
the great expenditure of ammunition. 

The few days respite and inaction gave time for ser- 
iously considering war as a dispenser of wrath and death 
and woe. Its forefront, bright and fair and gay, was 
blazoned, with "quality and pride and pomp and circum- 
stance"; but, behind battles' pomp and gloiy, were 
wounds and groans and blood and death ; and, in the far 
distant homes, w^ere eyes that wept and hearts that were 
breaking. ' ' Only for truth and right and land and home, 
do true and brave men war. ' ' 

The campaign thus far had been a series of successful 
flanking operations, until it had become a fixed notion in 
the minds of men and officers that it was not necessar}^ to 
charge strongly fortified positions, that General Sher- 
man's flanking strategy was sufficient to drive the enemy 
into the Gulf of Mexico ; but coming events proved that 
such was not wholly the idea or tactics of the General 
commanding. The true efficiency of soldiers is best test- 
ed by their ever being ready and willing to execute any 
plan or legitimate mode of warfare that promises success. 

It is conmion to omit that particularity of description 
and detail, when describing incidents and matters to 
those familiar with them, but so necessary to a clear ap- 
preciation of the situation, by those not so familiar with 
the organization of the army and the duties and habits 
of soldier life ; therefore, it is a matter to contemplate. 



288 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

that there was assembled in the vicinity of Kenesaw 
Mountain, in that rural neighborhood of Northern Geor- 
gia, nearly 200,000 men organized into regiments and 
brigades representing every State east of the Eocky 
Mountains, divided into two hostile armies arrayed 
against each other in a death grapple. The organiza- 
tion and discipline of the army was such that it worked 
like machinery, under the direction of one master mind. 
It was frequently stated, and it was substantially true, 
that General Sherman was so perfectly familiar with all 
the details of organization and administration in his 
army that he knew at all times just exactly the number 
of cartridges and crackers each soldier had in his posses- 
sion. 

Men of intelligence composed the rank and file of the 
army and it was perfectly natural that they should de- 
sire to know where and how far they were to march, and 
whether to battle or to camp. The secrecy which usually 
shrouded military operations left the brave men in the 
ranks in helpless ignorance of pending movements of the 
army; but there had been such a marked activity at the 
front and in the rear bringing up ammimition, filling the 
artillery chests, inspecting cartridge boxes, supplying 
stretchers and cots at the field hospitals, filling the medi- 
cal chests, brightening up the surgeon's knives and saws, 
and marshaling the ambulances for duty, that all could 
understand that a conflict was pending. 

A camp rumor was current for several days that an 
assault would be made by the whole army on the Kene- 
saw position, and the disposition shown by the enemy not 
to yield his stronghold added strength to the rumor. 
The fortifications abandoned by the enemy at New Hope 
Church and Resaca were skillfully constructed and of 



DALLAS : NEW HOPE CHURCH : BIG SHANTY 289 

great strength. An assault on them would have been at- 
tended with great loss of life, even if they could have 
been carried at all. Prisoners described the Kenesaw 
works as being extra strong at all points and the rugged 
slopes of the mountain were in plain view, showing a 
position much more difficult to approach, than were the 
heights of Missionary Ridge. With such an array of 
stubborn facts as to the situation, rumors of a pending 
assault disturbed the usual serenity of the men and ex- 
cited their nerves to the highest tension, as they groped 
down in the narrow trenches seeking shelter from the 
ever hurtling shells exploding in mid-air at all hours of 
the day. 



XIX 

THE BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 

On Monday, June 27, 1864, pursuant to special field or- 
ders already issued by General Sherman, directing that 
a general attack by the anny should be made on the 
enemy's fortified position at an early hour in the day, the 
reveille sounded at 4 a. m., when all preparations and as- 
signments were at once made for the conflict. The bri- 
gades of General J. A. J. Lightburn, Giles A. Smith, and 
Colonel C. C. Walcutt were designated to compose the 
assaulting column from the Army of the Tennessee, with 
General Morgan L. Smith in command. The southwest 
end of the mountain. Little Kenesaw, was designated as 
the objective of the assaulting column. The lines were 
formed at a short distance in front of the works, occu- 
pied during the night by the conunand, with Lightburn 
on the right in two lines, numbering 2000 muskets, Giles 
A. Smith in the center, with the same formation and same 
strength, and Walcutt on the left with 1500 muskets, and 
the 46th Ohio deployed as skirmishers, covering: the bri- 
gade front. General Lightburn was directed to assault 
to the right of the point. General Smith was to go direct- 
ly up the main spur, while Colonel Walcutt was to move 
directly for the gorge in the mountain and carry the 
works at that point. 

At the sound of the bugles, Walcutt 's brigade moved 
forward first and the enemy 's fire, opening on his column, 
was the signal for the other brigades to advance. The 
assault connnenced at 8:15 a. m., and the enemy at once 

290 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 291 

ipened with artillery from his works on the mountain 
,nd heavy musketry tire by his skimiishers, who were in- 
renched in rifle-pits 400 yards in front of his lines. 
?he enemy's outposts and skirmishers were driven back 
long the entire front, leaving their dead and wounded 
n the field and some prisoners. The ground advanced 
ver proved to be worse than anticipated, part of the 
[istance being over swampy ground densely covered by 
angled brush and vines. 

After passing* through the tangled brush, over the 
wampy ground and capturing the first line of rifle-pits, 
he lines were rectified and with fixed bayonets moved 
teadily and rapidly forward against the enemy's main 
ortifications. The ascent of the mountain slope, leading 
p to the crest, was found to be steep and imgged, covered 
dth brush and felled trees, ledges of rock, and an abatis 
Qgeniously and fimily constructed, rendering the ad- 
ance in the line of battle entirely impracticable. The 
ire maintained by the enemy, with small amis and ar- 
illery, was terrific and deadly, officers and men falling 
hick and fast all along the lines in the assaulting column. 

The lines approached to within a few yards of the 
nemy's main works, which were found to be of great 
trength and filled mth riflemen who commanded, Avith a 
deadly fire, the whole slope of the mountain. There was 
Iso poured in on the attacking force a cross-fire of mus- 
:etry and artillery, from oblique points on their lines, 
t^hich it was impossible for troops to go against. The 
nemy's position on the mountain, a great natural bar- 
ier which was greatly strengthened by the skillful me- 
hanical obstructions devised to hinder approach by as- 
ailing forces, caused the lines to break into small columns 
,nd squads, some of whom nearly reached the works, but 



292 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

most of whom were shot down by the unerring ami of the 
riflemen in the main works. After repeated attempts 
to reach and carry the enemy's main works had failed 
the troops were mthdrawn about 100 yards, where tem- 
porary works were erected and held. 

Great gallantly was displayed by officers and men, 
many of whom reached the works, where they crouched 
under the obstructions and ledges of rock until dark, 
when they crawled away. Most of those who were se- 
verely wounded were not cared for until after dark, when 
it was possible to bring them in without being fired upon 
by the enemy. There were many acts of personal gal- 
lantly performed and chivalric manhood displayed in all 
the commands, which showed a bond of sympathy and 
delicate friendship existing among the troops and be- 
tween the regiments, cherished only by men of noble 
courage and a will to perform the highest obligations and 
duties in life. After dark, the troops holding the lines 
established, were relieved by the First Division of the 
15th Army Corps, and the Second Brigade returned to the 
position held by it in the morning. 

The Sixth low^a carried into action a fraction less than 
300 muskets, and was led by Major Thomas J. Ennis with 
skill and great gallantry. The loss was 9 killed and 52 
wounded, a total of 61 men. Lieutenant-Colonel Rigdon 
S. Barnhill, commanding the 40th Illinois, was killed 
within a few feet of the enemy's main works on the moun- 
tain, leading his regiment. He was a valiant officer and 
a noble man. Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Wright, 
commanding the 103rd Illinois, received a severe wound, 
which permanently disabled him. He was conspicuous 
for gallant bearing during the engagement. Seven of 
the commanders of regiments in General Smith's as- 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 293 

laulting column were stricken down, 2 being killed and 5 
)ermanently disabled by wounds. The total casualties 
vere 80 killed, 506 wounded, and 17 missing; aggregate, 
!03 men. 

Words cannot describe the suffering occasioned by the 
ntense heat of that June day sun to those who were 
everely wounded and to the others who were compelled 
lie on the rugged slopes of Little Kenesaw, from 10 
,. m. until dart; brought relief. 

The casualty list in the Sixth Iowa was as follows : — 

COMPANY A 

Killed : Private Devila Sleight. 

Mortally Wounded: Sergeant William D. Hall, died 
uly 5th, in the field hospital at Allatoona Pass. 

Wounded: Sergeant William M. Harbeson, severely 
a the left knee joint; Corporal Henry A. Harris, in the 
ead; Private Zachariah Hein, in the arm, severely; 
jieutenant Albin L. Ingram, in the head, and right wrist, 
everely; Private Eliakin S. Wilson, in the foot, severely. 

COMPANY B 

Killed: Private Newton J. Gordon — ** Penny". 

Wounded: Private Aquilla T. Charles, slightly; Pri- 
ate Andrew J. Egbert, in the right arm; Private Wm. C. 
^itch, in both legs and arm ; Private Jacob L. Miller, in 
ift side; Private William Monnahan, in the arm, severe- 
r. 

COMPANY C 

Killed : Private Hamilton Buckingham. 
Mortally Wounded : Sergeant Joseph W. Travis, died 
uly 17th, at the Marietta field hospital. 
Wounded: Private Currency A. Gummere, by shell, 



294 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

bone out from shoulder half down to elbow; Private 
Robert Hoskins ; Private Walter Haddock, toe amputated. 

COMPANY D 

Wounded : Corporal John B. Armstrong, musket ball 
in left lung and through left leg; Private William G. 
Crow, severely; Sergeant Thomas Foster, severely; Pri- 
vate Oliver S. Green, severely ; Private James M. Pierce, 
slightly; Private F. M. Sharp, severely, by bursting shell; 
Corporal M. Westenhaver, in the face, severely.^^ 

COMPANY E 

Mortally Wounded: Private Thomas Hinton, died, 
July 28th, in the field hospital at Allatoona Pass. 

Wounded: Sergeant Stephen J. Gahagan, slightly; 
Private Elijah P. Bradley, in the leg, severely; Private 
Matthew W. Kemper, in the hip, severely ; Private James 
McGonegal, slightly; Color-Sergeant Henry Roberts, 
severely. 

COMPANY F 

Wounded: Coi-poral Joseph N. Ballou, musket ball 
through shoulder ; Corporal Abraham C. Rarick ; Private 
Abram S. Stark ; Private Isaac B. Sharp ; Private Felix 
Seachris, in the right arm, severely ; Private Charles W. 
Wright; Private James H. Warthen, flesh w^ound in the 
leg. 

COMPANY G 

Wounded: Sergeant Robert Alexander, in the foot, 
severely; .Corporal Thomas A. Clark, in the back and 
shoulder, severely; Private John A. Clark, in hand, fin- 

21 The eighth member of Company D wounded at Kenesaw Mountain 
was Jacob Cox. — Report of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 1866-1867, 
Vol. I, p. 496. 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 295 

:er amputated; Private Eobert W. Elliott, in the face, 
everely; Private George W. Ford, in hand, severely; 
Captain James J. Jordan, slightly; Private George A. 
/liller, in the hand, accidentally, with his own gun ; First- 
lergeant Samuel J, Plymesser, concussion of brain by 
ursting shell, and sun-stroke; Sergeant-Major Andrew 
\ Samson, in the left arm, severely. 

COMPANY H 

Killed: Private Benjamin Bixby. 

Wounded: Corporal Jesse L. Adkins, right arm am- 
utated; Sergeant 0. C. Snyder, in shoulder, severely; 
Private John McClearnan, in leg, severely. 

COMPANY I 

Killed : Sergeant John Hannum. 

Wounded: Private Jacob Cestine; Private George 
[outz; Sergeant Harvey B. Linton, musket ball in left 
ligh and right calf of leg, severely ; Private William A. 
russell, slightly; Sergeant James Turner, severely. 

COMPAI^Y K 

Killed : Private John H. Robertson. 

Wounded : Private William Gallager, in the hand and 
ITU, severely. 

Total: killed 6, died of wounds 3, ivounded 52; aggre- 
ate loss, 61 men. 

The other assaulting columns in the Army of the Cum- 
srland had met with no better success and the fact was 
)on learned throughout the army that the effort was a 
lilure. The army had sustained heavy losses in killed 
id wounded, and especially in distinguished and valued 



296 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ofi&cers, the aggregate loss being put at 3000, while the 
enemy — being secure behind his well constructed breast- 
works — sustained comparatively small losses. 

It was a supreme test of the confidence had in the com- 
manding general by the troops, and he — by his keen 
perception — saw that the troops realized that it was his 
first mistake in the campaign. He also knew it would not 
do to be very long inactive, owing to its influence, and 
accordingly he pressed the flank movements to the right, 
causing the enemy to extend south from Kenesaw to pro- 
tect his communications in the direction of the Chatta- 
hoochee River. 

Major-General 0. 0. Howard, then commanding the 
4th Army Corps, reporting the engagements, said : 

My experience is that a line of works thoroughly constructed, 
with the front weU covered with abatis and other entangle- 
ments, well manned with infantry, whether with orr own or that 
of the enemy, cannot be carried by direct assault. The excep- 
tions are, where some one of the above conditions is wanting or 
where the defenders are taken by surprise. 

The position on Little Kenesaw was held by General S. 
G. French's division of the late General L. Polk's corps, 
with General F. M. Cockrell's Missouri brigade holding 
the works assailed by Walcutt's Second Brigade. In his 
report of the engagement, dated the same day. General 
Cockrell said : 

My skirmishers fought very stubbornly and were pressed back 
up the gorge on the right, followed by the enemy at the distance 
of thirty to forty paces. ... In front of Colonel [James] 
McCown's regiment. . . . they made an assault in force and 
succeeded in getting within twenty-five paces of the works, and 
by secreting themselves behind rocks and other shelter held the 
position for fifteen or twenty minutes, and were distinctly heard 



BATTLE OF KENESAAV MOUNTAIN 297 

jy my officers in the main line to give the command "fix bayo- 
lets". . . . The bodies of 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 captain, 1 
ieutenant, and some 30 soldiers of the enemy were left dead in 
ny front, and so close to my lines that they could not be carried 
)ff. . . . My loss. ... 10 killed, 2 mortally wounded, 
n severely, 28 slightly, and 42 missing-. . . . aggregate 109. 

Colonel McCown's regiment was composed of the 3rd 
md 5th Missouri Infantry consolidated. General Cock- 
pell's brigade was composed entirely of Missouri troops, 
md was greatly distinguished in the Confederate Army 
3f Tennessee. 

The daily picket skirmishing was resumed and main- 
:ained with great energy by both sides. Captain William 
H. Clune assumed command of the regiment, Major En- 
lis having gone to the hospital sick, on June 29th. The 
regiment was mustered for pay at 6 a. m., June 30th. 
leavy cannonading continued during the day, and there 
^as a heavy fall of rain. 

The field hospitals ^vere taxed to their limit to care for 
:he more than 3000 wounded men, and the scenes, where 
imis and legs were amputated hy the hundred, w^ould 
nake the stoutest hearts quail. The railroad had been 
repaired and army supplies were being delivered at Big 
Shanty. Engines and trains were frequently run up so 
lear to the enemy's lines that they drew fire from the 
irtillery on the mountain. The rations issued by the 
3ommissary consisted almost solely of salt pork or fat 
Dacon, hard crackers, poor fresh beef, with coffee and 
3ugar. Seldom if ever were beans, rice, soap, vinegar, or 
3ther small rations issued. The lack of utensils preclud- 
ed cooking by messes or company cooks, and the result 
svas the worst kind of cooking, or none at all. 

On July 2nd orders were given to march at 4 a. m. the 



298 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

next morning, the di\ision to follo^V the rest of the 15th 
Coi-ps toward the Chattahoochee River. But at the first 
dawn of day on July 3rd, it was discovered by the ad-i 
vance skirmishers that the enemy had evacuated his • 
strong position on the mountain during the night, and, 
in an incredible short space of time, they were waving the 
flag from the parapets of the enemy's works on the crest 
of the mountain. The flank movements to the right after 
the assault had proved successful, and the stubborn foe i 
was again in flight, while the Union troops were shout- 
ing over the victory. The brigade marched with the rest 
of the Fourth Division and camped near the pretty little 
county seat town of Marietta, situated at the south base 
of Kenesaw, on the railroad. 

On the 4th of July, the whole army pressed forward 
after the retreating enemy and the natal day was marked 1 
by a continuous roar of battle from one flank to the other : 
of the army, a line more than ten miles long. At night 
the enemy was found posted in a new line of works of 
more than usual strength, covering the railroad bridge 
and pontoon bridges at the crossing of the Chattahoo- 
chee River. The Army of the Tennessee held the right 
of the line, resting on the river below the bridges at Nick- 
ajack Creek; the Army of the Cumberland held the left, 
resting on the river above the railroad ; while the Army of 
the Ohio remained in reserve. 

The regiment marched 13 miles, with the Fourth Di- 
vision, during the day to a position on the right of the 
army, where it camped in position at 3 p. m. The heat 
was intense and caused much suffering during the day, 
on account of the troops being marched in close order in 
anticipation of forming for battle at any moment. 

On the 5th, the Sixth Iowa marched 3 miles to the right 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 299 

in support of the 17th Corps and on the 6th took position 
on Nickajack Creek and fortified. On July 7th, the enemy 
shelled the lines vigorously all day, while an incessant 
rattle of musketry was kept up by the skirmishers in the 
pits. 

After dark the lines were advanced about a mile in a 
blaze of musketrj^ and artillery firing, and new fortifica- 
tions were built. No former position occupied by the 
regiment had ever compared with the one at Nickajack 
in density of small growth of timber, canebreak, tangling 
vines, and rank growth of vegetation covering the whole 
surface along the creeks, in the swamps and on the bottom 
lands of the Chattahoochee Eiver. The presence of my- 
riads of insects, venomous worms and reptiles, caused 
great annoyance, and the added persistent and deadly 
fire of the enemy's sharpshooters made the position very 
uncomfortable. The locality was a genuine fever breeder 
and many strong men who had withstood all the hard- 
ships up to that point were compelled to give up on ac- 
count of raging fever, and seek the cheerless comforts 
of the field hospitals. 

In the midst of terrific shelling during the 9th, sorties 
were made with varying success, by both sides, and on the 
10th, at daylight it was found that the enemy had evacu- 
ated his fortifications and retreated to the south side of 
the river. The abandoned works were found to be the 
strongest encountered during the campaig-n. An immense 
amount of slave labor had been expended on them, under 
the direction of skilled engineers of the Confederate 
army. If there had been any doubt or want of confidence 
in the skill and ability of General Sherman to success- 
fully direct the campaign it all vanished, when the Con- 
federates crossed the Chattahoochee River. 



300 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

On July 11th, the troops went swimming in the river 
and on the 12th, at 5 p. m., took up the line of march, 
traveled 5 miles and camped at 11 p. m. The Army of 
the Tennessee was en route to the left flank of the army 
at the E-oswell Factories on the Chattahoochee River, 25 
miles above. 

The command passed through Marietta on the 13th and 
crossed the Chattahoochee River on the 14th at the Ros- 
well Factories, on a temporary bridge constructed for 
the crossing of troops and on a pontoon bridge laid by 
the pontooniers, and camped one mile south of the river, 
where a line of breastworks was built. Major Ennis 
returned from sick leave, resumed command and the regi- 
ment went on picket guard at the front. The night was 
made uncomfortable, on account of a hard rain with loud 
peals of thunder. The Union cavalry had destroyed the 
large factories at Roswell, which had supplied the Con- 
federates with large quantities of cloth, from the begin- 
ning of the war. The river at this point is 200 yards 
wide, with a rapid current, rocky bottom, shallow water, 
and is very muddy. 

At 3 p. m. on the 15th, the regiment was relieved on out- 
post duty and the making out of the muster out rolls and 
discharges for the non-veterans was commenced. On the 
16th of July, at 6 p. m., 160 non-commissioned officers and 
privates were mustered out and discharged from the ser- 
vice, having served the three years term for which they 
had enlisted in 1861. The muster out of these men 
marked a very important event in the history of the regi- 
ment. Their going depleted the regiment to a mere bat- 
talion, but they had performed their contract mth the 
government faithfully and honorably and were justly en- 
titled to their honorable discharges. They were season- 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 301 

ed soldiers inured to the service and their places could not 
be filled by raAV recruits. It is notable that they partici- 
pated in the battles and skirmishing up to the hour of their 
discharge and in the assault on Kenesaw privates Buck- 
ingham and Bixby were killed, when only a few days ser- 
vice separated them from home and friends. Many oth- 
ers were wounded and maimed for life during the last 
thirty days of their term of service. Such honorable de- 
votion to duty marks the highest type of the true soldier 
and patriot citizen. At an early hour the next morning 
they departed for Marietta, where they were furnished 
transportation on the railroad, on their road home. 

Not all of the non-veterans were present mth the com- 
mand at the muster out, many being absent on account 
of sickness or wounds, but all were finally mustered out 
by reason of expiration of their term of service. 

The aggregate strength of the regiment on December 
31, 1863, on the return from Knoxville, was 571. A total 
loss of 214 had been sustained of whom 9 had died of dis- 
ease, 28 had been killed in battle, 10 had been discharged 
for disability, while 7 had deserted. The remaining loss 
was due to the discharge of the 160 non-veterans, leaving 
in the regiment on July 17, 1864, a total of 357. 

On account of the extreme rigors of the campaign, an 
unusually large per cent of the officers and men were ab- 
sent in field and general hospitals. The average per 
cent absent on account of wounds and other disabilities, 
as shown by medical statistics, was 25 to 35 of the aggre- 
gate strength of the regiments engaged in the campaign. 
The fighting strength of the Sixth Iowa, based on the 
foregoing statistics, was substantially 214 men, it being 
estimated that 143 men were sick, wounded, or on special 
detail or detached service. 



302 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The Army of the Tennessee moved south in the direc- 
tion of the Augusta Eailroad, with the enemy disputing 
every inch of the ground. The Second Brigade camped 
in line of battle on the south side of Nancy's Creek on the 
Cross Key's road, built temporary works, with the First 
and Third brigades of the Fourth Division in supporting 
distance, on the north side of the creek. The advance 
was engaged in active skirmishing during the day, with 
the enemy present in considerable force and defiant, when 
the halt was made for the night. On the 18th, the Second 
Brigade made a diversion in the direction of Stone Moun- 
tain and returned to the column in the evening and 
camped at Henderson's Mill, near Decatur, on the 19th, 
where the Anny of the Tennessee had assembled. 

The Confederate army had been forced into the forti- 
fications around the city of Atlanta and General Sher- 
man had crossed his entire army to the south side of the 
Chattahoochee River, with Thomas at the river and his 
line extending southeast along Peach Tree Creek, Scho- 
field in the center and McPherson at Decatur, 8 miles east 
of the city. On the 20th, the column passed through De- 
catur, a nice little county seat to^vn on the Augusta Rail- 
road, and went into position half way between Decatur 
and Atlanta, on the south side of the railroad, where 
brisk skirmishing was had with the outposts of the enemy 
and a line of works was hastily built. 

On July 21st, the Fourth Division in line on the left of 
the 15th Army Corps, moved forward in conjunction with 
the 16th and 17th army corps, then forming the left 
flank of the army, to the works of the enemy two miles 
southeast of the city, where the Second Brigade relieved 
the right brigade under Colonel B. F. Potts, in the line of 
the 17th Army Corps. The fighting had been spirited 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 303 

during the day, but resulted in the Amiy of the Tennes- 
see holding at evening a commanding position, wdthin 
plain view of the city, from where Captain De Gress 
fired the first shots, mth his twenty-pounder Parrott 
guns, that entered the city. The Sixth Iowa, as skirmish- 
ers in the advance during the evening, was under heavy 
fire of musketry and artilleiy and pressed the enemy's 
outposts and skirmishers into their main works built for 
the protection of the city. 

On July 20th, the enemy had assaulted the Army of the 
Cumberland while it was moving to the south side of 
Peach Tree Creek, and had been repulsed with heavy 
loss. At this time it was learned that General Johnston, 
who had so skillfully commanded the Confederate Army 
of Tennessee from the beginning of the campaign, had 
been relieved on the 18th and that Lieutenant-General 
John B. Hood, one of his corps commanders, had been 
placed in command of the army. It was evident from 
the character of the first movement that General Hood 
had changed the tactics of the campaign and hard knocks 
would now be delivered instead of evading them, under 
the shelter of breastworks. It will always be a mere 
conjecture as to what would have been the result had 
General Johnston remained in command, but there mil 
never be any doubt about the amount of fight there was 
left in his army, or their loyalty to him as a commander. 

Friday, July 22, 1864, dawned bright and beautiful, but 
the heat became oppressive as the sun rose to the zenith. 
The enemy had abandoned the works in front during the 
night, and at daylight the division advanced and took 
possession, when the works were immediately reversed. 
It was the impression of all throughout the command 



304 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

that the enemy had given up the city and that it would I' 
be occupied by the Union forces during the day, as simi- 
lar positions had been, during the campaign; but, at 12 
noon, the enemy attacked the left flank of the Army of 
the Tennessee in front and rear mth heavy columns of 
infantry, artillery, and cavalry, having passed completely 
around the left flank of the army during the night and 
early morning. They assailed the position with great 
fury, the 16th and 17th Army Corps receiving the first 
onset of the charging lines. 

The 15th Army Coi-ps held the position across the 
Augusta Railroad, with the First Division on the right 
and north of the railroad, connecting with the Army of 
the Ohio — 23rd Corps ; the Second Division in the cen- 
ter and covering the railroad cut at the white house ; and 
the Fourth Division on the left, south of the railroad, 
connecting with the right of the 17th Army Corps. The 
First Brigade held the right of the Fourth Division, with 
the Third Brigade in the center and the Second Brigade 
on the left, joining with the 17th Army Corps. 

From the position of the Second Brigade, the enemy 
was seen advancing through the woods in the rear of the 
17th Corps, among the teams and wagons. Then the bri- 
gade front was promptly and skillfully changed to the 
left rear facing the threatened danger, and at once be- 
came hotly engaged with the advancing foe. The strug- 
gle was short and decisive, checking their advance and 
driving their lines back to the cover of the woods. While 
engaged to left and rear the space made vacant in the 
front line by the movement was filled by extending the 
lines of the other brigades to the left, placing the division 
in two lines, one fighting to the front and the other to the 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 305 

rear, with only a narrow strip intervening between the 
lines. 

A short term of quiet prevailed in the vicinity of the 
position held by the Fourth Division and then the enemy, 
from the direction of Atlanta, assailed the 15th Army 
Corps in front with great fury, breaking through the 
Hues of the Second Division at the railroad and passed 
to the right rear of the Fourth Division in heavy force, 
causing the First and Third brigades to make rapid 
movements in that direction to resist and check the vic- 
torious onset of the enemy. It was at the moment when 
all hearts were filled with greatest anxiety, the battle 
raging in its wildest delirium of slaughter and just at 
the climax of recovering the position in the line and the 
De Gress battery, that General John A. Logan dashed 
along the lines mounted on his black horse, a perfect 
image of inspiration to heroic effort. That he passed 
through that storm of shot and shell and lived is the 
wonder of all who witnessed his gallant daring. 

The Second Brigade had changed its position fre- 
quently during these engagements and fought the enemy 
from the front and rear of the same line of breastworks. 
At night the enemy had been repulsed and the lines re- 
stored on every part of the field, but at a fearful cost to 
the Army of the Tennessee. The death of its beloved 
commander, Major-General James B. McPherson, sad- 
dened the heart of every soldier in the army. The sight 
of his horse and the empty saddle brought tears to the 
eyes of many strong men. The Confederate soldier who 
fired the fatal shot that killed the noble man and gallant 
soldier in that lonely woods, if living, knows it ; but, like 
hundreds and thousands of brave men, who marched and 



306 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

fought in the ranks of both armies, his heart is sorely 
grieved at having taken such a noble life and he will 
never divulge his identity. 

The Sixth Iowa heroically sustained its battle record 
throughout the engagement and was skillfully led by 
Major Ennis, although he was suffering with a fever, 
contracted in the campaign. Major Joshua W. Heath, 
commanding the 46th Ohio, was killed while leading his 
regiment in the thick of the fight, doing his whole duty. 
He had just received his commission as major to fill the 
vacancy caused by the death of Major Giesy, Avho had 
been killed at Dallas. 

Colonel Lucien Greathouse, commanding the 48tli Illi- 
nois, with whom the Sixth Iowa had been brigaded at 
Jackson, was killed while leading his regiment in the 
battle. Although only 22 years old, he had displayed 
great qualities for military command. No braver or 
better soldier ever gave his life in the service of his 
countr3\ His memory will ever be revered by those who 
participated in the battles and campaigns, with the 15th 
Army Corps. The Army of the Tennessee sustained an 
aggregate loss of 3722 in killed, wounded and prison- 
ers.'^ 

The Sixth Iowa loss was as follows : killed — Private 
Alonzo F. Gale, Company D; Private Austin A. Hull, 
Company G; Private Charles M. Peterson, Company I; 
total 3 men ; ivounded — Sergeant Jacob I. Corbly, Com- 
pany A, skull fractured, severely ; Coiporal Harvey Ford, 
Company B, right fore finger amputated ; Sergeant James 
E. Thomas, Company B, in the shoulder, severely; Pri- 



22 Major General John A. Logan, in his report of this battle, gives the 
total Union loss as 3521 men and 10 pieces of artillery. — • War of the 
EebelUon: Official Records, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, Pt. 3, p. 21. 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN 307 

rate Charles W. Watson, Company B, in the arm, severe- 
y; Private Benjamin F. Devore, Company D, in the leg, 
severely; Captain Thomas J. Elrick, Company D, in the 
land, slightly ; Private Benjamin F. Kimler, Company E, 
n the nose, severely; Private William M. Eife, Com- 
3any F; Private Enoch Davis, Company G, in the leg, 
severely; Sergeant Robert J. Jones, Company G, in the 
'oot, slightly ; total, 11 ; ^^ aggregate, 14 men. 

The movement by the enemy, which precipitated the 
Battle of Atlanta, was commenced in the night by draw- 
ing General Hardee's corps out of the fortified lines 
iround the city and marching it southeast around the left 
lank of the army, entirely enveloping the Army of the 
Fennessee. The attack was made with spirit and great 
ietermination and maintained mth varying success and 
iefeat from noon until sundown, when the field was 
ibandoned by the enemy and a glorious victory again 
3erched upon the banners of the Army of the Tennessee. 

The Confederates had to mourn the loss of Major-Gen- 
jral W. H. T. Walker, commanding a. di^^ision in General 
Hardee's corps, who was killed while leading his com- 
nand in the action. Many other officers of rank and 
:"eputation were killed and maimed for life, and, in Gen- 
eral Hardee's corps the loss of veteran troops was irre- 
:)arable, numbering many more than the loss in the Union 
irmy. 

The position gained was maintained and the trenches 
)ccupied without particular incident, other than the usual 
ticket firing and the daily strengthening of the works, un- 
;il July 27th, when the movement changing the Army of 

23 A list of wounded, prepared by the author and accompanying the 
nanuscript, gives Lloyd Wailes of Company D as the eleventh man who 
vas wounded. 



308 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the Tennessee to the right flank of the army was com- 
menced. The troops were quietly and successfully mth- 
drawn from the trenches at one a. m., and marched, pass- 
ing in the rear of the whole army then besieging the city, 
to the extreme right of the lines, west of the railroad and 
northwest of the city. The regiment camped for the night 
in the rear of General Corse 's division of the 16th Corps, 
then in position on the line ; having marched a distance of 
15 miles. 

On that day Major-General 0. 0. Howard assumed com- 1 
mand of the Army of the Tennessee, to which he had been i 
assig-ned by the President at the request of General Sher- ' 
man, and General Logan resumed the command of the i 
15th Army Corps. Everj^ soldier in the Army of the i 
Tennesse was jealous of its reputation, and the assign- 
ment of an eastern army man to the command was viewed 
with much concern and some forebodings, on account of I 
the ill success attending his sendee in the Army of the 
Potomac. 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 

During the morning of July 28th, the Army of the Ten- 
nessee went into position in prolongation of the lines to 
the right; the 16th Corps, General G. M. Dodge com- 
manding, connecting with the right of the Army of the 
Cumberland ; the 17th Corps, General Blair, next in line ; 
and the 15th Corps on the flank fronting south and run- 
ning parallel with Lick Skillet road, the left flank of the 
corps resting at the Ezra Church. The following dis- 
positions were made in the 15th Corps: First Division, 
Brigadier-General Charles R. Wood commanding, on the 
left; Fourth, Brigadier-General William Harrow, in the 
center; and the Second, Brigadier-General Morgan L. 
Smith, on the right, forming the right flank of the army. 
The Fourth Division was formed as follows : Third Bri- 
gade, Colonel Oliver commanding, on the left ; First, Col- 
onel Reuben Williams commanding, on the right ; Second, 
Colonel Charles C. Walcutt commanding, in reserve, ly- 
ing along the little creek or ravine behind the ridge oc- 
cupied by the other two brigades, and sheltered from the 
enemy's fire. 

At about 11 a. m., when the lines were not fully formed 
and before the troops had constructed even temporary 
works, the enemy suddenly and with great fuiy assaulted 
the right and center of the 15th Corps. This first en- 
gagement continued for more than an hour and the as- 
saulting columns were repulsed after a severe struggle, 
when, at one p. m., the whole front of the 15th Corps was 

309 



310 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

assailed by heavy masses of the enemy, formed in two and 
three lines of battle following close after each other, each 
pressing forw^ard mth steady step and unwavering lines. 
The regiments of the Second Brigade were separated 
and sent to the support of different portions of the line, 
the 103rd lUinois, 97th Indiana, and 46th Ohio went in 
support of Colonel Oliver's brigade, while the 40th Illi- 
nois and the 6th Iowa were conducted by General Logan 
on the double-quick to the right of the corps line and 
charged upon a force of the enemy who had gained a 
lodgment on the crest of the ridge held by a portion of 
the Second Division. 

The yells of the victors and the flying bullets made 
plain the objective and the two little regiments, number- 
ing scarcely 400 muskets, assailed the position with great 
determination and gallantry. The men struggled up the 
rugged and rocky ascent, through tangled brush and 
briars, driving the enemy from the ridge and holding the 
position. At this point they assisted in successfully re- 
sisting four distinct assaults, made by veteran troops — 
the flower of the Confederate army — led by their most 
distinguished officers and army commanders. 

Major H. W. Hall, 40th Illinois, was severely wounded 
and disabled just as he gained the crest of the ridge, and 
was succeeded in command of the regiment by Captain 
Michael Galvin. Major Thomas J. Ennis, 6th Iowa, was 
mortally wounded while leading his regiment in the 
charge and died the same evening, on the battlefield. In 
his report of the engagement. General Walcutt said that 
the death of Major Ennis was ''a great loss to his regi- 
ment and country. He possessed every quality of a good 
soldier." Captain William H. Clune, Company I, as- 
sumed the command when Major Ennis fell and gallantly 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 311 

performed the duty to the end of the engagement. Cap- 
tain Thomas J. Elrick, Company D, was mortally wound- 
ed while gallantly leading his company in the storm-cen- 
ter of the charge and died while being borne from the 
field. 

The regiment lost besides the officers named : killed — 
sergeants Ira Linton and Charles H. Loomis, Company 
K ; Private Michael Ditto, Company G ; Private William 
M. Hughes, Company D; Private Daniel F. M. Mussel- 
man, Company B ; Private Merritt Jamison, Company I ; 
total killed, 8 men ; wounded — Sergeant M. Westenhav- 
er. Company D, in the thighs, severely; Private John 
Martin, Company D, in the shoulder, severely, while car- 
rying the colors to the crest of the ridge ; total severely 
wounded, 2 men. The loss in the 15th Army Corps was 
50 men killed, 439 wounded, and 73 missing; aggregate, 
562 men. 

The Confederates made the assaults with the veteran 
divisions of T. C. Hindman, H. D. Clayton, and E. C. 
Walthall, composed of 65 regiments of infantry, under 
the command of Lieutenant-General Stephen D. Lee and 
Lieutenant-General Alexander P. Stewart. 

In W. A. Quarles' brigade of Stewart's corps, com- 
posed of the 1st AJabama, 42nd, 46th, 48th, 49th, 53rd, 
and 55th Tennessee, the total killed and wounded was 414 
and the casualties in officers were : killed — 1 Colonel, 1 
Lieutenant- Colonel, 1 Major, and 12 line officers; wounded 
— 1 Colonel, 1 Major, and 17 line officers. General 
Quarles said of the officers: 

They had for many months been exiled from their homes 
and families, having long ago given up their fortunes to the 
cause. They completed and sanctified the sacrifice with their 
lives. Truer and more earnest-hearted patriots never lived, 



312 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and the purity of their private character gracefully softened 
the ruder virtues of the soldier. 

The aggregate loss sustained by the Confederates in 
the battle did not fall below 3000 men killed and wounded, 
with the loss of an unusually large proportion of valuable 
officers, including Lieutenant-General A, P. Stewart and 
Major-General W. W. Loring, disabled by wounds. The 
burial details reported 617 of the enemy's dead buried 
on the battlefield where they fell, the bodies of officers 
of high rank being found within a few yards of the Union 
line. 

The battle was fought by the 15th Army Corps and its 
lines were assaulted six times between 11 a. m. and sun- 
down and in every instance the attacks were met and re- 
pulsed with great slaughter. The fight was made with- 
out the advantage of breastworks on either side, and was 
the most stubbornly contested and bloodiest battlefield 
of the campaign. General Harrow, in his report, said : 

If the soldiers of the Fifteenth Army Corps had no other 
claim to consideration than their efforts on that day, it would 
be enough to entitle them to the lasting gratitude of their 
country. 

Ammunition and rations were brought up to the front 
and issued to the regiments engaged in the battle, and a 
line of defensive works was completed during the even- 
ing. From July 29th to August 3rd, the lines were ad- 
vanced about a mile, which movement was attended by 
several sharp conflicts and necessitated the erection of 
two lines of fortifications. 

On August 3rd, General Harrow organized a force of 
1000 men, detailed from all the regiments in the Fourth 
Division with Major William B. Brown, 70th Ohio, in 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 313 

30inmand, who charged and drove the enemy from the 
rifle-pits on the ridge in front, captured 83 prisoners and 
aeld the position. The contest was sharp and spirited, 
ind the detail suffered a loss of 92 killed and wounded. 
General Logan said that ''tliis maneuver was highly cred- 
table to General Harrow and the officers and soldiers 
who were engaged in it". Although eminently success- 
ful it was purchased at a fearfully high price, causing 
the death of Major Brown, and the death or disabling 
for life of a large number of his command. When Major 
Brown fell mortally wounded he said to those near him, 
'Say to General Harrow I died like a soldier doing my 
iuty". 

On August 4th, Lieutenant-Colonel Miller returned 
Prom his absence on accomit of a wound and assumed 
3ommand of the regiment. The 100th Indiana and 26th 
Illinois regiments were transferred from the First to the 
Second Brigade, and the entire Third Brigade trans- 
ferred to the First, thus consolidating the division into 
two brigades. The First Brigade was commanded by 
Colonel John M. Oliver of the 15th Michigan, and the 
Second by Brigadier-General Charles C. Walcutt. Thus 
organized the division was assigned to a place in the new 
line established, covering Green's Ferry and Lick Skillet 
road. Heavy and well constructed earthworks were at 
once built covering the position, which extended over un- 
even ground, through woods and brush, cultivated 
patches and open fields, orchards and gardens, over hills 
and across narrow ravines, in total disregard of proper- 
ty and homes. Large details were made each day and 
the work of the siege prosecuted day and night, until a 
feeling of security from assaults and sallies pervaded 
along the line. 



314 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The main lines occupied by the contestants at this point" 
were about 800 yards apart, with the enemy holding a 
well constructed line of rifle-pits, with head-logs and loop- 
holes for sharpshooters, 500 yards in advance of their i 
main works. The skirmish pits of the Fourth Di\'ision 
were about 200 yards in advance of their main works, re- 
ducing the distance between the firing lines to an aver- 
age of about 100 yards. The firing from the rifle-pits was 
incessant during the day, and oftentimes continued 
through the night. By the persistent vigorous efforts of 
the men, the saps and pits were being continually ad- 
vanced at some portion of the lines, in some instances by 
rolling huge logs forward and by digging zig-zag 
trenches, and in this manner approaches were made so 
near the enemy's lines that ordinary conversation was 
indulged in by the pickets in the opposing pits. 

Marksmanship had again become the test for qualifica- 
tion as an effective soldier, as it had been at Corinth and 
Vicksburg. It was often asserted at the time, and it was 
probably true, that the two or three hundred qualified 
riflemen then composing the rank and file of the regi- 
ment were more effective in battle than were the 600 men 
who fought at Shiloh, scarcely any of whom had ever fired 
a gun to exceed a half dozen times, and then not at an ob- 
ject. The range was ascertained with such certainty and 
the fire made so effective, that a head appearing above 
the works was sure to receive a message from an unerr- 
ing rifle. 

All communication had back and forth mth the skirm- 
ishers in the advance pits was through a system of zig- 
zag trenches dug for that purpose, which furnished cover 
from the sharpshooters. The operations of the siege as 
conducted required the men to be on duty almost con- 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 315 

stantly and each regiment took a tour of twenty-four 
hours in the advance rifle-pits, every tliird day. The op- 
pressive heat of an August sun pouring down for twelve 
long hours during the day, together mth the element of 
danger ever present on account of a watchful and deadly 
foe, made a tour of duty in the pits a test of endurance 
and courage, that tried the best soldiers in the army. 
The guards at the front were usually changed at night- 
time and those in the pits at daylight were compelled to 
remain there during the day, under a burning sun and a 
continual spat ! spat ! of rifle balls, fired by a vigilant foe. 

The incessant fire of small arms was supplemented each 
day by a general bombardment of the lines in the evening, 
from the heavy siege guns in the enemy's main works 
near the city, sending their hundred pound shells a dis- 
tance of two or three miles, crashing through the timber 
and bursting far in the rear of the lines, among the 
horses and mules with the wagon trains. 

With 150,000 men and 50,000 animals crowded into the 
space occupied by the two great armies in the siege oper- 
ations about the city, all the flowing creeks in the vicin- 
ity became badly fouled, so that a drink of good pure 
water was considered a great luxury, during the siege. 

Soon after the siege operations began, it was learned 
that the works in the immediate front of the Second 
Brigade were occupied and defended by an Alabama bri- 
gade composed of the 19th, 22nd, 25th, 39th, and 50th regi- 
ments and the 17th Alabama battalion of sharpshooters, 
commanded by Brigadier-General Z. C- Deas. It was the 
custom to each day ascertain, from each other, what regi- 
ment was on duty in the pits. There was frequent cord- 
ial exchange of compliments between the men, and coffee 
was sometimes traded for tobacco. 



316 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

A wave of religious enthusiasm agitated the soldiers of 
the Confederate araiy during the long siege operations. 
The exercises were frequently carried on until a late hour 
at night, when the shouting and singing could be distinct- 
ly heard in the Union lines. 

A spontaneous outburst of firing, called demonstra-^ 
tions, was of frequent occurrence and happened mostly at 
night, when musketry and artillery firing became fur- 
ious. They were attended with all the roar and excite- 
ment of a real battle, but it was seldom that any one was 
injured by the tons of amnmnition thus expended. 

Tobacco also became a rare luxury and was indulged in 
only by those who had plenty of money. Two Ohio citi- 
zens were visiting their sons in the 46th Ohio, and learn- 
ing about the scarcity of tobacco, paid a large sum of 
money for a whole caddy of plug for that regiment, and, 
having seen the close friendship existing between the men 
of the regiments, they generously extended a portion of 
the gift to the men of the Sixth Iowa, which is a sacred 
memoiy in the army archives of many old veterans. 
Where the trenches were in the open and exposed to the 
burning sun, brush bowers were erected over them at 
night, which became special targets for the enemy's ar- 
tilleiy practice during the daytime. 

The army ration was fixed at a very limited quantity 
of hardtack, fat bacon, coffee, and sugar. At long inter- 
vals fresh beef and beans were issued, but there being no 
convenient facilities for cooking, they were usually lost 
to the men seizing in the trenches. 

In August, Governor William M. Stone, of Iowa, visited 
all the Iowa regiments engaged in front of Atlanta, and it 
was on the 5th that he paid his respects to the Sixth Iowa. 
The regiment was formed in a ravine in the rear of the 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 317 

ines, sheltered from the enemy's sharpshooters for the 
■ormal reception, when the Governor said, * ' Colonel, that 
seems to be a safe position for that company". To 
;vhich Colonel Miller, with visible emotion, replied, ' ' Sir, 
that is the regiment". The Governor spoke a few words 
iomplimentarj^ to the regiment and the ceremony was 
inished. 

Promotions were made in the regiment and commis- 
sions were issued by the Governor as follows : Captain 
William H. Clune, to be Major; Sergeant-Major Andrew 
r. Samson, to be First-Lieutenant and Adjutant; Hos- 
pital-Steward Aaron Vanscoy, to be First-Lieutenant in 
Company B; First-Sergeant W. H. Alexander, to be 
Captain, and Fourth-Sergeant Eugene C. Haynes, to be 
First-Lieutenant of Company D; First-Sergeant Ed\\4n 
R. Kennedy, to be Captain, and Third-Sergeant Francis 
M. Kyte, to be First-Lieutenant of Company F ; and head- 
[juarters clerk Eobert Stitt, Company K, to be Sergeant- 
Major. Never before had promotions been so fairly 
earned and so eminently deser\dng as were the commis- 
sions given to the non-commissioned officers, while serv^- 
ing in the trenches in front of Atlanta. 

The casualties in the regiment during the siege were as 
follows : August 2nd, Private Enoch Davis, Company G, 
wounded in the left arm, severely; Private Daniel W- 
Green, Company G, wounded in both hips, severely; 
August 3rd, Private Allen Dupree, Company B, wounded ; 
August 4th, Private Charles W. Wright, Company F, 
mortally wounded and died August 8th ; August 7th, Pri- 
vate Charles A. Erickson, Company I, wounded in left 
leg, severely; August 10th, Private Jacob Chapman, 
Company H, and Private Charles B. Shipman, Company 
I — both killed; Aug-ust 14th, Private Thomas Frazier, 



318 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Company K, wounded slightly, and Private Thomas G. 
Vinson, Company F, wounded in hand, severely ; August 
15th, Private David Sherck, Company H, wounded in the 
breast; August 18th, Corporal Eli B. Way, Company K, 
wounded in left side, severely, and Private Nathan B. 
Moore, Company E — killed ; August 21st, Private Sam- 
uel Sumner, Company D — killed ; August 22nd, First- 
Lieutenant Eugene C. Haynes, Company D, wounded — 
right arm amputated; August 25th, Sergeant Casper S.^ 
Troutman, Company G, wounded in right leg, severely;: 
Corporal Edward Chambers and Private Marlain M. 
Stewart, Company F, wounded; Lieutenant William H. . 
Oviatt, Company C, wounded ; 5 killed, 13 wounded ; total 
18 men. 

The strength of the Confederate army defending At- 
lanta, July 31, 1864, was 43,448 infantry, 17,313 cavalry, 
4840 artillery" ; total present 65,601 ; aggregate present and 
absent, 126,430 men. The effective strength of the Un- 
ion army at the same time was 75,659 infantry, 10,517 
cavalry, 5499 artillery; total present 91,675 men. The 
return of General Harrow's Fourth Division for July 
31st, shows how much the commands were exliausted 
by the rigors and casualties of the campaign, thus : pres- 
ent, 3342, present and absent, 7310. 

Major-General G. M. Dodge, commanding the 16th 
Army Corps, was severely wounded in the face, August 
19th, and relinguished his command; Brigadier-General 
J. A. J. Lightburn was wounded and retired from the 
field. On August 22nd, Brigadier-General Morgan L. 
Smith was granted leave for an indefinite period, on ac- 
count of wounds received at Vicksburg and Brigadier- 
General William B. Hazen was assigned to the command 
of the Second Division, 15th Army Corps. 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 319 

From the 28th of July to the 26th day of August, the 
roops had been kept constantly in the trenches, where 
he slightest exposure above the works endangered their 
ives. The instances of personal daring during the siege, 
)y men and officers, were so frequent that an enumera- 
ion of them would be to mention nearly every man in the 
'egiment. 

The operations had been a steady prolongation of the 
ines to the right in the direction of East Point, the junc- 
ion of the Montgomery and Macon railroads. Large 
lavalry expeditions had been sent against the enemy's 
lommunications south of Atlanta, but had mostly proved 
iisastrous to the Union forces. The enemy's cavalry, 
aider General Wheeler's command, had made sad havoc 
vith the railroad and the garrisons guarding it in the 
•ear of the Union army at Dalton, and had captured large 
lerds of beef cattle on their way to the army at the front, 
kvhich were skillfully conducted to the hungry Confeder- 
ites in the trenches at Atlanta. A heavy rain on August 
20th was refreshing to men and animals and hailed with 
oy, by friend and foe alike. 

On August 26th, the crowning operations of the cam- 
)aign Avere commenced, when, at 8 p. m., the 15th Army 
IJorps joined in the grand maneuvers of the whole army 
;o the south of Atlanta. The Sixth Iowa Avas deployed 
md left the trenches of the Fourth Division to perform 
he delicate and dangerous duty of keeping up a demon- 
stration from the works, while the troops were being with- 
irawn and marched away. The withdrawal commenced 
it 8 p. m., and progressed in quiet and great secrecy, un- 
^il the whole corps was out of the works and gone, leaving 
3nly the Sixth Iowa with its thin line of skirmishers to 
tiold the works and cover the movement. Evidently the 



320 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

enemy suspected the movement for they at once opened a 
furious fire of musketry and artillery, bringing into ac- 
tion all their field artillery and the heavy guns in the main 
forts near the city. The situation in the trenches seemedi 
most critical to the little band of defenders and put to 
the test their true soldier courage. It was known that 
the troops had marched away; the darkness of the night 
was made luminous with the flash of cannon and bursting 
shells ; the air was filled with bullets singing like swarm- 
ing bees, which, with the shouts and threatening yells of 
the defiant enemy, made a scene highly tragical — even 
in war — that almost chilled the blood. 

At 10 p. m., the order to fall back to the main works 
was passed from one to another along the line and the 
movement was successfully accomplished, when the 
enemy's skirmishers at once advanced and occupied the 
vacated pits with the mldest demonstrations of shouting 
and musketry firing. Without tarrying long in the su- 
perb breastworks — built at a cost of so much labor — 
the line continued the movement to the rear. Owing to 
the darkness of the night and the consequent confusion, 
the line soon fell into disorder and then everj^ man for 
liimself made his way through the abandoned works and 
tangled brush until they were safely out of range of the 
firing and the further night pursuit by the enemy. 

While the situation of the regiment was attended with 
most threatening consequences, the loss was very slight, 
the firing being done mostly at random in the darkness 
The men were assembled and rejoined the brigade on the 
morning of the 27th. In the afternoon the brigade 
marched with the corps a distance of 15 miles in the 
midst of a heavy rain storm and over difficult country 
roads to a position on Camp Creek, which it fortified. 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 321 

On August 28th, the column started forward again at 
8 a. m., but since the narrow countr}^ roads were gorged 
with troops and trains, an entirely new road was cut 
through the dense woods, parallel with the established 
roads, to the West Point Railroad, two miles north of 
Fairburn station, near the Shadna Church. Here the 
corps was placed in position, covering the railroad, and 
fortified. On the 29th, the 15th Corps remained in po- 
sition all day with slight skirmishing at all the outposts. 
Green corn, just in good roasting-ears, was found in abun- 
dance on the farms and plantations and also a variety of 
wild fruits in the forest, which were eagerly sought after 
and heartily relished by the troops after their long siege 
of hardtack and bacon. 

After having thoroughly destroyed the railroad track 
in the ^dcinity, the march was resumed on the morning of 
August 30th, in the direction of Jonesborough. The 
Second Division led the advance. Brisk skirmishing 
took place all the time and spirited engagements occurred 
at the crossing of Pond Creek and Shoal Creek. This 
caused the column to keep closed up and the advance 
brigades to frequently go into position. The crossing of 
Flint Eiver was effected late in the evening and the 15th 
Army Corps went into position a short distance beyond, 
after dark, by extending the line to the right and left of 
the road leading into Jonesborough, which was distant 
only three -fourths of a mile. 

The line occupied a bold ridge, mostly covered with 
timber and brush, running parallel with the railroad in 
front with its right and left flanks resting on Flint River 
and covering the county seat town of Jonesborough. 
The Second Brigade held a position in the line to the 
right of the road and near the center overlooking the 



322 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

town. The troops worked all night fortifying the po- 
sition and at daylight a substantial line of works had 
been completed within 1000 yards of the depot in Jones- 
borough. All during the night and in the morning, 
trains from Atlanta arrived at the depot loaded with 
troops, who were placed in position to defend the town. 

The 15th Army Corps was again in position on the ex- 
treme right in a bold flank movement by the whole army, 
and every soldier in the corps was conscious that the 
enemy would make a desperate attempt to crush it before 
the supporting columns could aid it. 

On the morning of August 31st, it was perfectly evident 
to all that the battle for the possession of Atlanta would 
be fought in the vicinity of Jonesborough, thirty miles 
south of that city. The 16th and 17th army corps 
closed up during the morning and were in position ready 
for the fray, when, at 12 noon, the batteries that were in 
position and covered by parapets, opened a furious can- 
nonade on the enemy's works and the railroad depot in 
the town. Skirmishers were advanced all along the front 
until the firing became general, inflicting severe punish- 
ment on both sides. The enemy's earthworks were in 
plain view, crowning the crest of a ridge on the opposite 
side of a ravine, which intervened between the lines. The 
morning hours had been occupied by the troops in 
strengthening the weak points in the line in anticipation 
of an assault and every man was in the trenches fully 
equipped for battle. 

At 2 p. m., the enemy opened fire with a battery of 30 
pieces of artillery at close range and kept up the fire for 
about an hour, sending a perfect storm of shot and shells 
that went crashing through the light barricades and far 



EZEA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 323 

to the rear through the tunber and bnish. During the 
firing, their infantry formed in two lines of battle, on the 
sloping ground in front of their works, with the precis- 
ion of a field parade, where regimental organizations 
were distinguishable as they marched into position, and 
mounted staff and field officers were plainly seen adjust- 
ing and perfecting the lines. The formation being com- 
pleted, the firing ceased and the column moved forward, 
slowly and resolutely, but mth spirit and determination 
that seriously threatened the safety of the 15th Corps' 
position in its light fortifications. The distance between 
the lines to be traveled by the assaulting column was 
from 1000 to 1200 yards, over rather rough and difficult 
o'round. 

The Union skirmishers fell back hurriedly as the enemy 
approached and when all were safe in the works, the 
whole line opened a perfect sheet of fire with rifles and 
3annon, accompanied with loud jeWs of defiance, which 
soon caused their lines to weaver and in many places halt 
and seek shelter from the deadly fire. In several places 
the enemy gained positions mthin pistol shot of the 
works. These positions were resolutely maintained and 
a hot fire opened on everything appearing above the 
breastworks, but a most terrible and destinictive fire was 
directed on them from the works, at a distance of 50 to 
100 paces, and in less than an hour they were compelled 
to fall back to their works in disorder. 

The position of the Second Brigade was assailed by 
Brigadier-General Joseph H. Lewis' Kentucky brigade, 
3omposed of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 9th Kentucky 
regiments, whose bold assault — though made by an en- 
3my — was admired. The skirmishers pursued the re- 
treating lines of the enemy, when some shai*p conflicts 



12 



324 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ensued and resulted in the capture of Colonel J. W. Moss, 
Major Harvey McDowell, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, and 
25 men of the Second Kentucky. Colonel Moss was se- 
verely wounded in the arm, which was afterwards ampu- 
tated at the field hospital. The enemy made two more 
assaults, but with far less spirit, which were easily re- 
pulsed. Their loss was greater than it had been in any 
former engagement, except at Ezra Church, near At- 
lanta. General Patton Anderson, while leading a divis- 
ion in the assault, was seriously wounded and carried 
from the field, as were many other distinguished veteran 
Confederate officers — both killed and wounded. 

The assault was immediately followed by a most ter- 
rific cannonade by all the Confederate artillery, lasting 
for nearly an hour, which raked the works with solid 
shot and shells. At dark all firing ceased, except an oc- 
casional rifle shot on the picket line, and the night was 
passed in comparative quiet, the troops on both sides 
having had their power of endurance put to a severe test 
during the past 5 days. 

The Sixth Iowa occupied a conspicuous and important 
position in the line directly in front of the town and the 
railroad depot. The Confederate troops for the assault 
had been selected and massed with unusual care under 
the command of their most distinguished officers, and it 
was only by the most determined and stubborn resis- 
tance that they were repulsed and driven from the field. 
Again the Army of the Tennessee had held the flank po- 
sition in a grand battle maneuver, and successfully re- 
sisted the combined assaults of Hardee 's and Lee 's army 
corps, which constituted two-thirds of Hood's army. 

Owing to the protection furnished by the breastworks, 
the casualties in the 15th Corps during the day were only 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 325 

L54 killed and wounded, while the loss of the enemy was 
)ver 2000 killed, wounded, and missing. 

On September 1st, the whole force of the Union army 
closed down on the position at Jonesborough and the 14tli 
^rmy Corps connected with the left of the line formed by 
:he Army of the Tennessee, where it made a successful 
jharge, late in the evening, on the enemy's position on 
the railroad north of town. From the position of the 
Sixth Iowa there was had a fine view of the field of op- 
erations, where the 14th Coitus made the assault. Gen- 
erals Sherman, Howard, Logan, and other distinguished 
officers of the army \aewed the fight from the same point, 
rhe occasion afforded a rare opportunity for the men to 
be near the commanding general and his chief officers, 
while directing the movements of a great battle. 

The sight of thousands of intelligent men being mar- 
shaled in military array, marching in battle lines and 
beavy columns of masses preparatory to mortal combat, 
excites martial enthusiasm to the highest tension. In 
the terrific crash and climax of a battle contest and amid 
the shouts of the victors — where hundreds in the prime 
and vigor of manhood go do^vn in death — there is still 
another view later. As the smoke of battle rolls away 
and the shadows and stillness of night settle over the field, 
the piteous moans and wailings of the thousands of 
maimed and mortally wounded present a heart-rending 
scene that chills the blood in the veins of the boldest. 

Loud explosions were heard during the night in the 
direction of Atlanta, indicating the blowing up of pow- 
der magazines. At daylight on September 2nd, the skir- 
mishers advanced, found the works abandoned, and skir- 
mished through the town with the rear guard, covering 
the retreat of the enemy. 



326 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The Second Brigade led the advance in the pursuit of 
the enemy, who had fled south along the Macon Railroad. 
At a short distance south of town the enemy's rear guard,, 
composed of dismounted cavaliy, was encountered 
strongly posted behind rail barricades, so the 100th In-, 
diana and the 6th Iowa were deployed in front as skir- 
mishers, the 6th on the left and the 100th on the right of 
the wagon road leading south to Lovejoy's Station on 
the Macon Railroad. Both regiments charged the barri- 
cades with loud yells and a volley from their rifles that 
quickly dislodged the enemy. The skirmishers continued ; 
to advance, from cover to cover and from tree to tree, ex- ^ 
posed to a brisk and skillful fire by trained riflemen for , 
a distance of a quarter of a mile, where another stand ! 
was made and they were again driven away, after a 
sharp engagement. 

At the next barricade encountered the enemy opened 
with canister and shells from two pieces of artillery, when, 
owing to the intense heat and the exhausted condition of 
the men on the line, a short halt was made to rest. The 
line again moved forward rapidly, driving the enemy 
from every position taken, until the main column was 
overtaken five miles south of Jonesborough near Cedar 
Bluff, where the enemy opened with such furious can- 
nonading and fierce fire of musketry, that a halt was 
again ordered. 

The men of both regiments were so overcome with the 
heat and so much exliausted by the four hours constant 
skirmishing, advancing through thick and tangled brush, 
up steep hills and through marshy places filled with mud 
and water, that they were relieved by the 46th Ohio and 
103rd Illinois. They at once assailed the enemy with 
determination and great gallantry, driving them into a 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 327 

line of works which were found to be very strong and 
filled with men. In the afternoon the Second Brigade 
advanced in line of battle, together with the Fourth Di- 
vision and the rest of the 15th Army Corps, to the crest 
of a ridge, within easy musket range of the enemy's main 
line of works. The movement was made in the midst of 
bursting shells and flying canister from more than 30 
gTins at close range. 

It was while in the open field giving orders and per- 
sonal directions for the movement that General Logan 
and his staff became a conspicuous target for the enemy's 
fire. A huge shell fell and exploded on the ground im- 
mediately under the General and his horse, without ser- 
ious injury to either; but others of the party and their 
horses were hit by the flying fragments which inflicted 
only slight injuries. The enemj^ made a determined but 
futile attempt to drive the line back later in the afternoon, 
after which the First and Fourth divisions were placed in 
position in the front line and the Second in reserve, and 
all fortified. 

The advance from Jonesborough to Lovejoy's was 
marked by the most skillful art of skinnish fighting. The 
active and almost every day practice on the skirmish line 
and in the rifle-pits, during the past four months, had 
made every man thorough in the arts and methods of 
that mode of warfare. 

The lines as established were maintained, while an in- 
cessant skirmish fire and sharp artillery practice was 
kept up each day. The works were continually being 
strengthened until a formidable line of defense covered 
the front of both divisions. The enemy's sharpshooters 
were specially vigilant and kept up a destmctive fire, in- 
flicting an unusually hesivy list of painful casualties. 



328 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The city of Atlanta was evacuated during the night of 
September 1st, by General Hood with his last remaining ' 
corps commanded by Lieutenant-General Stewart, and 
on the next morning, September 2nd, General Slocum 
coromanding the 20th Army Corps, posted at the Chatta- ' 
hoochee bridge, marched in and occupied the city with- 
out opposition. 

General Hood joined General Hardee at Lovejoy's 
Station with Stewart's Corps on September 3rd, when i 
his three army corps were again united and posted across i 
the Macon Railroad in a very strong defensive position, , 
confronting General Sherman's army. 

The army was in position fronting south, as follows: 
the Army of the Cumberland, General Thomas command- 
ing, on the right; the Army of the Ohio — 23rd Army 
Corps — General Schofield commanding, on the left ; and 
the Army of the Tennessee, General Howard command- 
ing, in the center, where the Second Brigade held the key 
position of the line on the high hill, which General 
Howard instructed General Harrow to hold to the last in 
case of assault by the enemy. 

Atlanta being the prize fought for in the campaign, 
and fairly won by the movement and battle at Jones- 
borough, the army was successfully withdrawn from the 
lines in front of Lovejoy's, on the night of September 
5th, and returned by easy marches to the vicinity of At- 
lanta, without serious annoyance by the enemy. The 
^rithdrawal was commenced at 9 p. m., and attended with 
much hardship, on account of the Egyptian darkness and 
the deep mud, caused by the hard rains during the day. 
The movement was also made difficult, on account of the 
vigilant watchfulness of the enemy to take advantage 
of any opportunity to strike a successful blow. It was 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 329 

trying and fatiguing for the troops, to stand in line for 
weary hours, under a hot fire of musketry and artillery 
and to march through the bottomless mud. The Second 
Brigade arrived at Jonesborough at 2 a. m., September 
6th, and camped in the works built by them in front of 
the town. General Cockrell's brigade of Missouri Con- 
federates assailed the rear guard about 8 a. m., south of 
to^vn, and, after a spirited engagement with small anns 
and artillery, they were driven away, which practically 
ended the pursuit. 

On the morning of September 7th, the Second Brigade 
again withdrew from the works, along with the rest of 
the army, crossed the Flint River and camped for the 
night at Morrow's mill. The next day the march was 
continued to East Point, where the troops were formed 
in line and camped in position to fortify. The Army of 
the Cumberland w^as assigned to the city of Atlanta and 
the Chattahoochee railroad bridge ; the Anny of the Ohio 
— 23rd Army Corps — to Decatur on the Augusta Rail- 
road, 8 miles east of town ; and the Army of the Tennes- 
see to East Point, the junction of the Macon and Mont- 
gomery railroads, 8 miles southwest of the city. 

The casualties in the Sixth Iowa during the movement 
around Atlanta were as follows: at Jonesborough, 
ivounded — Private Asa N. Callahan, Company B, in the 
left arm, severely; Sergeant Thomas Foster, Company 
D, slightly ; Musician James H. Hobbs, Company D, rifle 
ball in the elbow, severely; at Lovejoy's station, killed — 
Private Alexander R. Savage, Company K; ivounded — 
Private Joseph Ellis, Company D, in the neck, severely ; 
Private Charles ]\L Main, Company D, in the neck, severe- 
ly; Private Isaac Day, Company F, severely; Corporal 
John W. Waite, Company G, in the side, severely; Cor- 



330 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

poral Norval W. McKay, Company I, gunshot through 
right shoulder; total, killed 1, wounded 8; aggregate, 9 
men. 

From May 5 to September 5, 1864, the Sixth Iowa 
sustained casualties as follows : killed and died of wounds 
45, wounded 126, missing in action 3 ; aggregate, 174 men. 
The five regiments composing General Walcutt's Second 
Brigade, to-wit: 46th Ohio, 40th Illinois, 103rd Illinois, 
97th Indiana, and 6th Iowa, sustained casualties as fol- 
lows : killed, 12 officers and 129 men ; wounded, 37 officers 
and 559 men ; missing in action, 15 men ; total, 141 killed, 
wounded 596, missing 15 ; aggregate, 767 men. '* 

General Harrow's Fourth Division lost — killed, 28 
officers and 271 men; wounded, 79 officers and 1429 men; 
missing, 10 officers and 150 men; aggregate, 1987 men. 
General Logan computed the losses in the First, Second 
and Fourth divisions of the 15th Army Corps, at — killed, 
57 officers and 588 men, total 645 ; wounded, 196 officers 
and 3271 men, total 3467 ; missing, 32 officers and 614 men, 
total 646 ; aggregate, 4758 men. The Army of the Ten- 
nessee sustained losses as follows : killed, 91 officers and 
1357 men, total, 1447; wounded, 365 officers and 6628 
men, total 6993 ; missing 77 officers and 1796 men, total, 
1873 ; aggregate, 10,314 men. 

At the beginning of the Atlanta campaig-n, the effec- 
tive strength of Sherman's army had been 110,123. This 
army lost by casualties in battle during the campaign — 
killed, 6922 ; wounded, 25,772 ; missing, 4810 ; aggregate, 

21 The official return of casualties during the Atlanta campaign gives 
the Sixth Iowa losses as follows: killed, 31; wounded, 119; missing, 4; 
total 154. The Second Brigade losses are given as follows: killed, 143; 
wounded, 590; missing, 19; total 572. — War of the EelelUon: Official 
Becords, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, Pt. 3, p. 115. 



EZRA CHURCH AND JONESBOROUGH 331 

37,504 men. -'' The total number of sick and wounded re- 
ceived and treated in the field hospitals during the cam- 
paigii was 79,920 and of this number only 32,675 returned 
to duty, showing a permanent loss of 47,245 men, on ac- 
count of wounds and disease. The army fired 149,670 
artillery shots and 22,137,132 rounds of infantry and 
cavalry [small arms] ammunition. 

Summing up the part taken by the Sixth Iowa, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Miller said: 

Of the conduct of my officers and men it is unnecessary to 
speak. They belong to, and they have never disgraced, the 
Army of the Tennessee. 

Brigadier-General Walcutt, who commanded the Sec- 
ond Brigade throughout the campaign, said: 

The brigade has suffered terribly in both officers and men, 
which shows plainly the hard work they have done. . . . 
Colonel Dickerman, One hundred and third Illinois; Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Barnhill, Fortieth Illinois; Major Giesy, Forty- 
sixth Ohio ; Major Emiis, Sixth Iowa, and Major Heath, Forty- 
sixth Ohio, all of whom were the very best of officers, were 
killed while leading their regiments. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Wright, Major Willison, and Captain Post, One hundred and 
third Illinois; Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, Sixth Iowa, and Ma- 
jor Hall, Fortieth Illinois, were each severely wounded while in 
command of their respective regiments, making in all 10 field 
officers killed and wounded, while engaged in battle. . . . 
All deserve the highest praise for the cheerfulness with which 
they have performed their part in this arduous campaign. 

25 A conipilatiou of the returns of casualties in the three armies under 
Sherman's command, during the Atlanta campaign gives the following: 
killed, 5284; wounded, 26,127; missing, 5679; aggregate loss, 37,090.— 
War of the Bebellion: Official Records, Series I, Vol. XXXVIII, Pt. 1, 
p. 175, Pt. 2, p. 520, Pt. 3, p. 48. 



332 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

General Howard made honorable mention of the corps 
commanders in the Army of the Tennessee, saying, that, 
"for patriotic zeal and untiring- effort for the success of 
our cause they are only rivaled by the great body of the 
officers and soldiers under their command". 

The occupation of the city of Atlanta by the Union 
forces was the successful culmination of the great cam- 
paign and the troops were justly entitled to the period 
of rest there provided for them. The camps were pitched 
about the city in pleasant places, where supplies were 
furnished and all made comfortable. 



XXI 

THE PURSUIT OF HOOD 

After the withdrawal at Lovejoy's, the army returned to 
the vicinity of the city of Atlanta, where the troops were 
established in pleasant camps and soon settled down to 
the quiet routine of daily ceremonies and the dull mo- 
notony of camp-life. From being under fire almost con- 
stantly during- the four months of the campaign just 
closed, the habit of groping about in the trenches and 
behind the breastworks was fixed upon the soldiers' con- 
duct. Because of a lingering sense of ever present 
danger, many of the men still caught themselves crouch- 
ing down close to the ground, while going about attend- 
ing to the ordinary affairs of the camps. 

Large fatig-ue details from each regiment were kept 
steadily at work, until the grounds in and about the camps 
were cleared of ever^^ vestige of brush and litter, giving 
the whole space occupied by the camps the appearance of 
well kept lawns and public parks. Regimental parade 
grounds were laid out and graded down smooth in front 
of each command. The general sanitary condition of the 
camps and localities was thoroughly and critically in- 
spected and everything was put in the best possible con- 
dition, looking to the health and comfort of the troops. 
Supplies of rations and clothing were issued in abun- 
dance and the men were soon cleanly shaved, had their 
hair cut, were washed, and dressed in brand-new cloth- 
ing. 

The Fourth Division headquarters w^as a bower of 

333 



334 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

flowers and evergreen, so skillfully constructed that it 
was a floral beauty. This was voluntarily made by the 
soldiers of the command, showing their esteem and re- 
gard for the division commander, Brigadier-General 
William Harrow, as well as exliibiting their skill and 
handiwork. The corps headquarters and many of the 
brigade and regimental headquarters were artistically 
arranged and beautifully decorated; but none of them 
compared mth the Fourth Division in elaborate display, 
beauty of design, and skillful construction. 

The mail was received daily from the northern States, 
and newspapers were plentiful in the camps. The news 
concerning campaigns on other fields of operations was 
greatly sought after and especially the pending political 
campaign for President. That President Lincoln was 
honest, loyal, and wholly unselfish in the administration 
of public affairs was steadfastly fixed in the minds of the 
soldiers of General Sherman's Atlanta army; that he 
sincerely sympathized with and was the personal friend 
of every individual soldier in the Union army, they fully 
believed; that he was free from prejudice in the selec- 
tion of the army commanders ; and, above all, that he was 
honestly devoted to the task of suppressing the Eebellion 
and restoring the Union was their honest conviction. 

The candidacy of General George B. McClellan (Little 
Mack) made a strong appeal to the soldier pride of the 
men, and many had great confidence in him as a com- 
mander and as a steadfast patriot. Still they were ad- 
monished in many ways to stand firm for Old Abe. 
Chief among the reasons was the endorsement of McClel- 
lan by the ''peace at any price" party in the northern 
States and the fact that his election was the hope of the 
soldiers in the Confederate army. 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 335 

General Logan, General Blair and many other officers 
and soldiers in the army who were prominent in political 
affairs at their homes and good campaigners on the stump, 
as well as good soldiers, were granted leaves and re- 
turned to their States, where they entered actively into 
the campaign until the election in November. 

General Sherman's orders requiring all citizens re- 
maining in the city of Atlanta to move out, giving them 
the choice of going north or south as they might prefer, 
was the chief episode of the camps and caused great in- 
dignation among the residents and in the Confederate 
amiy. General Hood, answering General Sherman, said 
that "the unprecedented measure transcends, in studied 
and ingenious cruelty, all acts ever before brought to my 
attention in the dark history of war"; to wiiich General 
Sherman replied: ''Talk thus to the marines, but not 
to me. . . . who will this day make as much sacri- 
fice for the peace and honor of the South as the best bom 
Southerner among you". 

A ten days truce was arranged by General Sherman 
and General Hood for the purpose of carrjdng into effect 
the evacuation orders and for the exchange of prisoners 
captured during the campaign. There was furnished 
from each army a guard of 100 men commanded by a 
field officer, who met at Eough and Eeady, six miles south 
of East Point on the Macon Railroad, where they went 
into camp and conducted the exchange of prisoners and 
the transfer of citizens from the city on their way south. 
Ten Sixth Iowa men sei'ved on the detail at Rough and 
Ready, where they had quite an exciting, but pleasant, 
experience with a like number of Confederate soldiers, 
all in the same camp for ten days. 

It was during the month, while in camp at East Point, 



336 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

that the Army of the Tennessee was reorganized by con- 
solidating all the troops of the department present with 
the Atlanta army into the 15th and 17th army corps, the 
15th Corps embracing the following commands: infantry ' 
— First Division, Brigadier-General Charles R. Woods 
conmianding, 6155 men ; Second Division, Brigadier-Gen- 
eral W. B. Hazen commanding, 5426 men; Third Divi- 
sion, Brigadier-General John E. Smith commanding, 5653 
men ; Fourth Division, Brigadier-General John M. Corse 
commanding, 6100 men; total infantry, 23,334 men and 
9 batteries of artilleiy with 42 guns. 

Only the divisions of "Woods and Hazen were encamped 
at East Point, while Smith's division still guarded the 
railroad north to Chattanooga, and Corse's division had 
been sent to Rome as a garrison for that important post. 
By the reorganization. General Harrow's Fourth Divi- 
sion was broken up and General Walcutt's brigade desig- 
nated as the Second Brigade of the First Division of the 
15tli Army Corps. General Harrow was relieved of com- 
mand in the Army of the Tennessee, but before his de- 
parture, the officers and men of the command assembled 
at his headquarters where appropriate addresses were 
made expressive of the warm sentiments of friendship 
entertained for him personally and as a commander 
throughout the division and the army. Each and all ten- 
dered their good wishes for his future good health and 
success on other fields. Everything was in the air as to 
future movements of the army, but it was certain that the 
Confederate army had changed its position from the Ma- 
con Railroad to the West Point and Montgomery road 
Avest of Atlanta. President Jefferson Davis had visited 
Hood's army at Palmetto, where he delivered a speech to 
the army, which aroused great enthusiasm. 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 337 

On September 30th, General Howard and General Os- 
terhaus reviewed the First Division, General Woods 
commanding, the ceremony being held in the fields 
and on the open plain near the camps. The three 
brigades composing the division were foraied in line, 
extending nearly a mile in length and in that posi- 
tion the command was formally presented and inspected 
by the commanders, who were attended by a large reti- 
nue of staff officers in full dress with escort commands, 
all superbly mounted and gaily caparisoned. The whole 
cavalcade passed down in front of the line and back in 
the rear, making a close inspection of the troops and 
their equipment. When the reviewing party had re- 
turned to their station the division was formed in column 
prepared for passing in review, each regiment foraiing 
in column of companies, the Sixth Iowa forming with six 
equalized companies of 40 men each. At the signal by 
the bugles the column marched around the quadrangular 
space, passing the reviewing officers, and returned to the 
same position in line. The ceremony was resplendent 
with field music and all the display of elegant military 
trappings, presenting a scene grand and imposing, with 
5000 men in line. 

Just at the moment the column had completed the 
marching. General Sherman, accompanied by his wife 
and daughter in a carriage, arrived on the field and re- 
quested of the division commander that the troops be 
marched in review again. Probably there were not more 
than three or four men then living who could make such 
a request of that body of valiant soldiers, and have the 
fatiguing ceremony of marching three miles performed 
cheerfully, but General Sherman was one who could do 
it. Every man in the command did his proudest march- 



338 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

ing as the column passed the commander of the anny, 
whose kindly acknowledgment and pleasant expression' 
were full compensation for the trying ordeal. I 

General Sherman was the idol of his army and every 
man in it had the most implicit confidence in him as com- 
mander and leader. His soldiers loved him with a de- 
votion as steadfast as their courage was indomitable and ' 
their spirit unconquerable. 

Many of the veteran regiments in the Anny of the Ten- 
nessee had served in all the campaig-ns from the begin- • 
ning under Grant and Sheraian, and had been almost con- ' 
tinually under fire since Shiloh and Corinth, so that some 
of them had lost 70 per cent of their number by casualties 
in battle and disease. Brigades, at the close of the cam- 
paign, had less than 800 men present for duty. These 
skeleton organizations were models of militaiy adminis- 
tration and discipline, with good coi^oorals and sergeants, 
and competent Lieutenants and Captains, who are just as 
important for successful mihtar}^ operations as compe- 
tent Generals. 

It seemed like more than their share of the burdens to 
continue^ putting these old regiments, with their thinned 
ranks, into the front rank of the fierce battle. The right 
policy would have been to fill up the old regiments with 
the new levies as they were called for so that with a 
fresh influx of recruits the living would not have felt so 
perceptibly their great losses. A loss of three or four 
kiUed and ten or twelve wounded, in an old regiment dur- 
ing an engagement, was more distinctively felt by the sur- 
viving than an equal number from a company was at the 
beginning of the war, before such warm personal attach- 
ments had been fonned as in the after trials and hard- 
ships of the sei'vice. 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 339 

The practicability of such a policy was clearly demoii- 
.strated by the experience had in the Sixth Iowa with the 
recruits who came to the regiment with the returned vet- 
erans, and who, without previous preparation or drill, 
were placed in the ranks by the side of the veterans, 
where they performed full duty from the first day to the 
last day of the campaign, sustaining fully their propor- 
tion of casualties. 

The northern newspapers received in the camps caused 
some political enthusiasm, but the sentiment in the army 
was so nearly unanimous for the reelection of Abraham 
Lincoln, that organized opposition was not attempted. 
The three weeks of camp life having sufficed to rest from 
the labors of the summer campaign, the rumors on Oc- 
tober 1st, of marching orders, were hailed with delight. 

Pursuant to orders previously received from army 
headquarters, the Sixth Iowa stinick camp in the early 
morning of October 4th, and marched with the First Di- 
vision in the direction of the Chattahoochee River, pass- 
ing through the fortifications and old camps, occupied 
during the siege, northwest of the city of Atlanta. The 
works built and occupied by the enemy in front of the 
position held by the 15th Army Corps during the month 
of August were found to be very strong, if not absolute- 
ly impregnable to assault. The column crossed the Chat- 
tahoochee River, near the railroad bridge, and went into 
camp for the night at the Smyrna Camp Meeting 
Grounds, having marched 21 miles over very bad roads. 

The aggressive operations inaugurated by General 
Hood, immediately following the visit of President Davis 
at Palmetto caused the pleasant camps about Atlanta to 
be broken up and the troops put in march on the retro- 
grade campaign. General Hood crossed his three infan- 



23 



340 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

try corps to the north side of the Chattahoochee River at 
Campbellton, on September 30th, marched north to the 
vicinity of Lost Mountain and took a position fronting 
towards and covering Kenesaw Mountain. There he de- 
tached General Stewart's corps, on October 3rd, and this 
organization struck and destroyed the railroad and cap- 
tured the garrisons guarding at Big Shanty and Ac- 
worth, numbering 425 men. 

At 4 p. m., October 4th, Major-General French, with 
his division of three brigades, was detached by General 
Stewart and sent against Allatoona, where a large re- 
serve supply of army stores and provisions was stored. 
After thoroughly destroying the railroad from Big 
Shanty to Acworth, by burning the ties and twisting the 
heated rails. General Stewart rejoined General Hood at 
New Hope Church with his two remaining divisions, on 
the evening of October 4th. Such was the situation when 
the troops from Atlanta arrived at the Smyrna Camp 
Meeting Grounds and at Marietta. 

On October 5th, the troops marched to Kolb's farm, 
two and a half miles south of Marietta, and took a posi- 
tion covering the roads leading out to Lost Mountain and 
Dallas, where the enemy w^as in hea-vj force. The corps 
remained in the position during the 6th and 7th and then, 
on the 8th, marched through Marietta and around the 
east end of Kenesaw Mountain, on the Marietta and Big 
Shanty wagon road, and camped in the plain two miles 
north of the mountain. The army, except the 20th Corps 
which had been left to garrison the city of Atlanta, 
was in position extending from Kenesaw to Allatoona, 
offering battle to General Hood's army, still at New Hope 
Church. From the crest of Kenesaw Mountain General 
Sherman had used the signal corps to direct the move- 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 341 

nents of his amiy. He signaled to General Corse at 
ilome to reenforce the garrison at Allatoona mth a bri- 
1,'ade of troops from his di\4sion, sending the message 
»ver the heads of Stewart's men engaged in tearing up 
he railroad at Big Shanty and Acworth. 

On October 5th, at a very early hour in the morning, 
jeneral French had invested the position at Allatoona 
v'ith his division of 4347 men. His command embraced 
he brigade of Brigadier-General W. H. Young, com- 
)0sed of the 29th and 39th North Carolina, 9th, 10th, and 
.4th, and 32nd Texas regiments; Brigadier-General F. 
\L CockrelPs brigade of Missouri troops; Brigadier-Gen- 
eral C. W. Sears' brigade of Mississippi troops, composed 
)f the 4th, 35th, 36th, 39th, and 46th regiments, and the 
^th battalion; Cowan's Mississippi batteiy. Lookout Ten- 
lessee batteiy, and Pointe Coupee Louisiana battery. 

The Union garrison at Allatoona, commanded by Bri- 
gadier-General John M. Corse, embraced the 4th Minne- 
sota, 450 men ; the 93rd Illinois, 290 men ; 7 companies of 
;he 18th Wisconsin, 150 men; and the 12th Wisconsin 
3attery, 6 guns ; aggregate, 890 men. These were a part 
3f the Third Division, 15th Army Corps, and were com- 
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Tourtellotte, 4th 
Minnesota. They composed the railroad guard and gar- 
dson for the station. General Corse arrived at Alla- 
toona Station, at one a. m., on the morning of the 5th, on 
the cars, with Colonel Eichard Kowett's brigade of the 
Fourth Division of the 15th Army Corps, composed of 8 
companies 39th Iowa, 280 men, Lieutenant-Colonel James 
Redfield coimnanding ; 9 companies 7th Illinois, 267 men ; 
3 companies 50th Illinois, 267 men ; 2 companies 57th Illi- 
Qois, 61 men ; and a detachment of the 12th Illinois, 155 
men ; total, 1054 men ; aggregate force, 1944 men. 



342 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

At the first break of day the skirmishing commenced i 
at the outposts and the fighting was pressed with great 
determination by the enemy on all sides of the position, 
forcing the outposts and detachment to take refuge in 
the forts situated on the summit of the ridge, on either 
side of the deep railroad cut. At 8:30 a. m.. General 
French preemptorily demanded the surrender of Alla- 
toona and its garrison, "to avoid a needless effusion of 
blood", to which General Corse at once replied: "We 
are prepared for the 'needless effusion of blood' when- 
ever it is agreeable to you". 

At 10 a. m., the enemy had massed their forces and be- 
gan the assault with great fuiy, carrying the rifle-pits and 
small redoubts, forcing the defenders into the two main 
redoubts. There they maintained the fight for four hours 
against the repeated assaults of their gallant foes, who, 
at 2 p. m., were broken and driven in squads and frag- 
mentary commands to the shelter of the rough ground, 
where they sullenly maintained the fight, from behind 
every stump and log, within musket range of the forts. 
At 3:30 p. m., the defeated Confederates marched away 
to New Hope Church, where they rejoined General 
Hood's main army, leaving their dead and severely 
wounded, on the battlefield. Union loss — killed 142, 
wounded, 352, prisoners 212, total 706. Confederate loss 
— killed 134, wounded 474, prisoners 281, total 889 
men.^*" The Confederates mourned the loss of a large 
number of distinguished officers, many of whom had 
served from the beginning of the war. The Missouri 
brigade had killed or mortally wounded, 2 Majors, 3 Cap- 

26 Major General S. G. French, in his official report, gives his loss as 
follows: killed, 122; wounded, 443; missing, 234; a total of 799. — War 
of the Behellion: Official Becords, Series I, Vol. XXXIX, Pt. 1, p. 818. 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 343 

tains, 6 Lieutenants, and 1 Ensign. Colonel W. H. Clark, 
of the Mississippi Brigade, was killed while leading his 
men in the charge. 

In his report of the battle made at the time, General 
Corse said: 

The gallant Colonel James Redfield, of the Thirty-ninth 
Iowa, fell shot in four places, and the extraordinary valor of 
the men and officers of this regiment and the Seventh Illinois 
saved to us AUatoona. 

Eight companies of the 39th Iowa were engaged in the 
battle, with 10 officers and 274 men present. Of these 
there were killed, 5 officers and 35 men; wounded, 1 offi- 
cer and 51 men ; missing 2 officers and 76 men; aggregate, 
170 men. Of the 10 officers taken into action, 5 were 
killed, 1 wounded, and 2 taken prisoner. There were left 
at the close of the engagement 112 men and 2 officers for 
duty in the regiment. 

General Corse was severely wounded in the head, at 
one p. m., by a rifle-ball that rendered him insensible for 
a half hour, just at the most critical period of the battle, 
but on his restoration to consciousness, and, while in the 
midst of the dead and dying, he urged the few unhurt 
officers and men, still left around him in the little fort, to 
renewed exertion, assuring them that General Sherman 
would soon be there with reenforcements. He so im- 
pressed every officer and enlisted man in his command, 
with his indomitable spirit, that they were inspired with 
heroic courage and to the perforaaance of deeds never 
surpassed and seldom equalled in the history of wars. 

The gallant dead of the Union garrison, whose deaths 
caused such grief in so many northern homes, have their 
names and the history of their heroic deeds and tragic 
death inscribed in the records of the nation, and their 



344 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

memory will ever be enshrined in the hearts of a patriotic 
people. An imperishable halo of glory will ever cluster 
around the thrilling scenes enacted at Allatoona, on that 
day. 

General Sherman was at the signal station all day, on 
the crest of Kenesaw Mountain, while the battle was in 
progress at Allatoona, sending and receiving messages 
for the maneuvering of his army, which was actively en- 
gaged in the pursuit of General Hood, on his northern 
raid. Lieutenant Charles H. Fish, signal officer of the 
15th Army Corps, was in charge of the Kenesaw station 
and Lieutenant John Q. Adams, United States Signal 
Corps, was in charge of the Allatoona station. It was 
during the battle, at 10 a. m., that Lieutenant Adams 
flagged a message to Kenesaw, announcing the arrival of 
General Corse with reenforcements, and again, when the 
enemy had commenced to withdraw in the afternoon he 
sent a message to General Shennan, stating that they 
were all right and General Corse wounded. 

The Honorable J. W. McKenzie, a distinguished judge 
of Iowa — now deceased — was a flagman at the Alla- 
toona Station and received honorable mention for cool- 
ness and bravery while flagging messages under a sharp 
fire from the enemy's sharpshooters. 

The next day after the fight, at 2 p. m.. General Corse 
had flagged to Captain L. M. Dayton, Aide-de-Camp to 
General Sherman, who was on Kenesaw Mountain, the 
follomng message: ''I am short a cheek bone and one 
ear, but am able to whip all hell yet. My losses are very 
heavy." At 4:10 p. m.. Captain Dayton replied as fol- 
lows: "Saw your battle. Am here all right. Have 
sent you assistance. Am sorry you are hurt. General 
is mindful of vou." General Shennan expressed his ap- 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 345 

preciation of the service rendered at Allatoona, by Gen- 
eral Corse and the troops engaged, in special field orders, 
as follows: '^The thanks of this aniiy are due, and are 
hereby accorded to General Corse, Colonel Tourtellotte, 
officers and men, for their determined and gallant de- 
fense of Allatoona". 

The result of a battle is, sometimes, entirely changed 
by a very slight miscarriage in the execution of the plans. 
At sundown, on October 4th, while at Acworth with his 
division on the march to Allatoona, General French dis- 
patched a small troop of cavalry, in charge of an officer, 
to strike the railroad as near the Etowah railroad bridge 
as possible, and to take up rails and hide them, so as to 
prevent trains from reaching Allatoona from the north 
with reenf orcements. Had the officer succeeded in carry- 
ing out the instructions given him, probably General 
Corse would have been delayed and would not have 
reached the Allatoona station in time to save it and the 
million rations stored there, as he did in the middle of 
the night. 

On Sunday, October 9th, the ai-my remained in position 
north of Kenesaw Mountain during the day, where all army 
movements were practically suspended, on account of the 
deep mud and bad roads, caused by the recent hard rains. 
It seems like a paradox, but it was nevertheless true, 
that the two great armies were exactly reversed in the po- 
sitions held by them in June. General Johnston then oc- 
cupied the lines covering the railroad about Kenesaw, 
while General Sherman was at New Hope extending his 
lines around to the railroad at Allatoona and Acworth. 

On October 10th, the command made a forced march 
to Kingston, 38 miles distant, mth scarcely a halt. The 
column passed through Big Shanty, Acworth, Allatoona ; 



346 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

crossed the Etowah River, near the railroad bridge, on a 
pontoon bridge ; passed through the county seat town of 
Cartersville and camped at night near Kingston — mak- 
ing a most remarkable march, considering the rough 
mountainous character of the countrj^ passed over andi 
the muddy condition of the roads. That a large com- 
mand of foot soldiers were transferred in a day from the 
base of Kenesaw Mountain to the plains in the vicinity 
of Cassville, crossing en route the Allatoona Mountains, 
the Etowah River, a large and swollen stream, and were 
camped at night in position ready to resist the enemy, 
seems almost incredible. Probably there never was an- 
other army so capable of performing such an extraordi- 
nary^ feat of physical endurance. 

General Hood had left the vicinity of Dallas and New 
Hope on the 8th, crossed the Coosa River below Rome 
and was, on the 10th, marching north with his whole 
araiy. The First Division remained in position at Kings- 
ton on the 11th and then marched to Rome on the 12th, 
where the troops camped near the hospitals. On Octo- 
ber 13th, the whole force started north en route to Resa- 
ca, passed through Adairsville and Callioun, arrived at 
Resaca early in the morning on October 15th and at once 
pushed out on the main road leading to Sugar Valley and 
Snake Creek Gap, where the enemy was posted in heavy 
force in the position first occupied by the Army of the 
Tennessee at the beginning of the campaig-n. With 
Stewart's and Lee's army corps. General Hood had de- 
stroyed the railroad from Resaca to Tunnel Hill, north 
of Dalton and near Chattanooga, had compelled the gar- 
risons at Tilton and Dalton to surrender, and in person 
had demanded the surrender of the garrison and forts 
at Resaca, but had been so gallantly resisted that he 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 347 

marched away without serious effort to capture the place. 

The enemy was found in Snake Creek Valley, occupy- 
ing the works built by General Harrow's division in May. 
The force was small and after a short resistance fell back 
north through the gap, mth the rest of the army then in 
the valleys on both sides of Taylor's Ridge. The route 
of march during the day took the troops over interesting 
ground, including the positions held by both armies in 
May, affording them an opportunity to view the strong 
position and works held by the enemy at Resaca, to pass 
over the battlefield and revisit the graves of those who 
fell in that historic engagement. 

A blockade, with felled trees and all manner of obstruc- 
tion in the very narrow pass through Snake Creek Gap, 
delayed the advance skirmishers and pioneers for awhile, 
but the infantry column hardly ceased to march, going 
over the trunks of trees and through the obstractions, 
while the pioneer corps cleared the way for the artillery 
and Avagon trains. Before midnight, the 15th Army 
Corps, with wagon trains and artiller}^, was all through 
and in camp at the west end of the gap, mth orders to 
continue the pursuit of the enemy, who had abandoned 
the railroad and was fleeing west through the valleys to 
Sunnnerville. 

At 7 a. m., October 16th, General Woods' First Divi- 
sion broke camp and leading the advance of the 15th 
Corps, struck the enemy's pickets at Villanow. They re- 
tired, skirmishing until they reached their supports post- 
ed in strong breastworks in Ship's Gap. This rugged 
mountain pass was fortified on both sides and was by 
nature a veiy strong position. Dispositions were soon 
made by General Woods, which resulted in the taking of 
the position after a spirited engagement with loss on both 



348 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

sides in killed and wounded. The Second Brigade was 
formed in line of battle as support to the attacking forces 
and was under the enemy's artilleiy and musketry fire 
during the engagement. 

The whole corps passed over Taylor's Ridge and 
camped in the rich Chickamauga Valley, where much 
needed subsistence for both men and animals was found in 
abundance. The valley was cleared of the enemy, they 
having all fled south in the direction of Gaylesville. On 
October 17th, the corps passed through La Fayette, reach- 
ed Sunmier\dlle the next day, crossed the Chattanooga 
River at Trion Factor}^ camped on the 19th at Alpine, 
and on the 20th pushed on, marching to the right on the 
Shinbone Valley road, via Davis' Cross-Roads, to Gayles- 
\411e. On the 21st, the 15th Cori^s marched on the old 
Alabama road and took up a position on Little River, 
with one brigade across the river towards Blue Pond. 
All of Shemian 's pursuing army was concentrated about 
Gayles\dlle and the further pursuit of General Hood's 
army, which was then at Gadsden, was declared teraii- 
nated. 

The rich and fertile valleys lying between the moun- 
tain ranges down to the Coosa. River afforded an abund- 
ance of com, flour, meal, sweet potatoes, pigs, cattle, 
sheep, and poultry. Foraging parties were sent out in 
every direction to gather it in and the army feasted on 
the good things of the countrj^ 

Political campaign speeches in pamphlet form were dis- 
tributed among the soldiers, which aroused much politi- 
cal enthusiasm throughout the army. The speeches of 
General Logan and General Schurz were the prime 
favorites in the Army of the Tennessee. 

The bands played sweet music, the soldiers sang songs 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 349 

and cheered for generals and rabbits, and everybody was 
merry and happy. While in camp the sad news of Cap- 
tain John L. Bashore's tragic death in Poweshiek County, 
Iowa, was received. He had been shot and killed while 
serving as Assistant United States Marshal, making ar- 
rests of persons evading the draft and of deserters from 
the army. The members of the Sixth Iowa, and officers 
and men throughout the brigade and di\asion, offered 
sympathizing expressions of their deep sorrow, and many 
kindly tributes to his memorj^ and of his gallant sei-vice 
in the army. 

It was at this camp that there occurred an exodus of 
old officers who were mustered out and took final leave 
of the regiment. The list embraced: Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Alexander J. Miller, Dr. Albert T. Shaw, Quarter- 
master Peter F. Crichton, Captain Charles T. Golding, 
First-Lieutenant Hezekiah C. Clock, "' Captain Leander 
C. Allison, Captain James J. Jordan, Captain George R. 
Nunn, First-Lieutenant Edwin F. Alden, Second-Lieu- 
tenant Oliver F. Howard, Captain George W. Holmes, 
and First-Lieutenant William H. Arnold. Not all of 
these officers named were present with the command at 
the time, many of them being absent in hospitals at Chat- 
tanooga and other points still farther north; but all of 
those who were present were bid a cordial and friendly 
farewell by the men in the regiment. The parting with 
Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was attended with much re- 
gret and there were many expressions of kindly regard 
from officers and men in the regiment by whom he was 
held in the highest esteem for his resolute and sturdy 



27 Hezekiah C. Clock was Captain of Company C at the time of his 
discharge, having teen commissioned May 11, 1864.. — Beport of the Ad- 
jutant General of Iowa, 1866-1867, Vol. I, p. 77. 



350 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

character, his kindly and equitable bearing toward all, 
and his unflinching bravery as a soldier. 

A cavalry reconnoissance sent out in the direction of 
Gadsden returned and reported a large force of the 
enemy, under General Joseph Wlieeler, intrenched at 
Blount's place, near King's Hill. On Monday, October 
24th, General Osterhaus, with instructions to try the 
strength of the enemy, broke camp in the afternoon with 
the First and Second divisions of the 15th Army Corps, 
Battery B, First Michigan and the First Iowa Battery, 
marched 9 miles to Leesburg and camped for the night. 

Very early the next morning the command took up the 
line of march to King's Hill, skirmishing constantly with 
the enemy to Blount's place, where they made a feeble 
stand behind slight works and then fled to their main 
fortified position in Turkeytown Valley — 5 miles be- 
yond. There the enemy was found intrenched at the far- 
ther end of the valley, from where they opened on the ad- 
vancing columns with artiller\^ The First Division 
formed the left flank with the Second Brigade on the left 
of the line and the Sixth Iowa deployed as skirmishers 
covering the flank and extending to the river. 

The two batteries were placed in position and opened 
fire, the skirmishers formed across the valley, facing the 
enemy's fortifications, when the engagement commenced 
with a roar of artilleiy and a crackling fire of musketry. 
The bugles sounded the charge and simultaneously all the 
lines rushed forward exposed to a sweeping fire from the 
enemy's artillery and small arms, and when at close range 
opened a rapid fire on their fortified line, whereupon the 
enemy abandoned their works and fled precipitately. No 
further pursuit was made and the command returned to 
Blount's place and camped in the enemy's works for the 
night. The next day the whole force marched back to the 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 351 

camp on Little River where it arrived on the 26th, hav- 
ing marching' 48 miles and ha\dng completely broken up 
the enemy's outpost in Turkeytown Valley. 

The direct pursuit of General Hood's army having been 
abandoned, the 4th and 23rd corps were sent to General 
Thomas in Tennessee, while the 14th, 15th, and 17th 
corps received orders to prepare for another long and 
difficult campaign. A refitting with all necessary equip- 
ment, paying the troops, issuing rations and all adminis- 
trative duties were pushed in all departments with great 
energy and signal dispatch. 

All officers and enlisted men, whose terms of service 
had expired or those wlio were unable to stand a long 
march, were sent north, together, with all surplus bag 
gage and transportation. At the same time the artillery 
was reduced to the ratio of one battery to each infantry^ 
division. The batteries of Captain F. De Gress, Captain 
W. Zickerick, Captain A. F. R. Amdt, and Captain Fred- 
erick Welker were retained with the four divisions of 
the 15th Army Corps, a total of 18 guns. 

General Hood was left with his three infantry corps 
and Wheeler's and Forrest's cavalry corps concentrated 
in the vicinity of Decatur and Tuscumbia on the south 
side of the Tennessee River in North Alabama, ready to 
cross into Middle Tennessee on his invasion campaign. 
The three Union army corps commenced the movement 
for the return to Atlanta. The pontoon bridges having 
been laid in the Coosa River, the trains moved in ad- 
vance on the afternoon of October 28th and were all 
across at daylight on the 29th. Then the troops followed 
during the day and as the 15th Corps was the last to cross 
at Cedar Bluff, the pontoons were taken up by them and 
all other bridges and boats destroyed. 

The route of the 15th Army Corps led through Cave 



352 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Spring, Cedartown, Yellow Stone, thence across the Dug- 
down Mountain, through New Babylon and Powder 
Springs to Vining's Station at the Smyrna Camp Meeting 
Grounds, where the command arrived in the afternoon of 
November 5th, without particular incident en route. 

Preparations for the contemplated campaign through 
Georgia were vigorously prosecuted throughout the 
army, by sending all baggage not absolutely necessary 
on the march, all sick and wounded, field and general 
hospitals, surplus stores, and equipment of every kind, 
back to Chattanooga and Nashville. Each soldier was 
newly and thoroughly equipped, putting the troops in the 
best possible light marching order. 

In the regiments and detachments of the States author- 
izing the troops to vote while serving in the field, an 
election was held on November 8th, when the men voted 
for President, and for State and county officers. The 
Sixth Iowa cast 204 votes, of which 201 were for Abra- 
ham Lincoln and 3 for General George B. McClellan. 
During the evening, after the election, there was great 
enthusiasm throughout the camps and an impromptu 
meeting was held at the 15th Army Corps headquarters 
which was addressed by several distinguished public 
speakers — General Osterhaus, the Corps Commander, 
speaking in German. 

On the 9th of November, the Sixth Iowa received six 
months pay. There being no public means for sending 
money home a Captain of the 100th Indiana was detailed 
and authorized by General Howard to receive the money 
in the Second Brigade, take it to Indianapolis, Indiana, 
and there express it to the parties to whom the packages 
were addressed. The packages of currency delivered to 
him for transmittal filled a large army clothing box and 



PURSUIT OF HOOD 353 

amounted to many thousands of dollars. That he and the 
ten men detailed to guard him ran the gantlet of the ma- 
rauding bands and forces of the enemy's cavalry along 
the line of the railroad back to the Ohio River at Louis- 
ville, reached Indianapolis in safety, and delivered every 
package without the loss of a dollar, was discharging a 
high and responsible trust Avith great courage and strict 
fidelity. 

On November 12th, the Army of the Tennessee de- 
stroyed the railroad from Big Shanty to the Chatta- 
hoochee River, a distance of 22 miles, brigades being as- 
signed to certain portions of the road and the regiments 
deployed along the track, so that the destruction was al- 
most simultaneous all along the whole distance. The 
destruction was complete and thorough, ties being 
burned, rails twisted, and all bridges and culverts de- 
stroyed. 

On November 13th, the First Division marched to At- 
lanta, crossed the Chattahoochee River on the pontoon 
bridge, passed through the city and went into camp at 
White Hall, two miles west of town. 

The four divisions of the 15th Army Corps were united 
at Atlanta and had an effective strength of : infantry — 
First Division, Brigadier-General Charles R. Woods 
commanding, 4376 men ; Second Division, Biigadier-Gen- 
eral William B. Hazen commanding, 3808 men; Third 
Division, Brigadier-General John E. Smith commanding, 
3659 ; Fourth Division, Brigadier-General John M. Corse 
commanding, 3710 men; total infantry, 15,553 men; ar- 
tillery^ — Captain De Gress' four twenty-pounder Par- 
rotts; Captain Zickerick's four light twelve-pounders; 
Captain Amdt's four three-inch Rodmans; Captain 
Welker's six light twelve-pounders; total guns, 18. 



354 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Major-General Peter J. Osterhaus commanded the corps. 

The campaign of 350 miles through North Georgia and 
Alabama in pursuit of Hood's army was a positive ad- 
vantage to the army, for both troops and animals were 
in better condition for future operations at the end than 
they were at the beginning. 

Preparatory to the complete abandonment of Central 
Georgia by the Union forces, all railroads and property 
belonging thereto, all store houses, machine shops, mills, 
factories, and business blocks in the city of Atlanta were 
completely and effectually destroyed pursuant to orders, 
under the direction of the engineer officers of the amiy. 



XXII 

THE BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 

On the morning of November 15, 1864, General W. T. 
Sherman had his army concentrated at Atlanta ready to 
start on the famous campaign through Georgia. The 
army was composed of four infantiy corps. The Fif- 
teenth, 15,894 men, commanded by Major-General Peter 
J. Osterhaus; and the Seventeenth, 11,732 men, com- 
manded by Major-General Frank P. Blair, constituted the 
right wing of the army which was commanded by Major- 
General O. 0. Howard. The Fourteenth, 13,962 men, 
commanded by Major-General Jefferson C. Davis; and 
the Twentieth, 13,741 men, commanded by Brigadier- 
General A. S. Williams, constituted the left wing of the 
army which was commanded by Major-General H. W. 
Slocum. The artillery, 1812 men and 65 guns; and the 
cavalry, one division, 5063 men, were commanded by 
Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick. The aggregate 
strength of the army was 62,204 men. 

The Fifteenth Army Corps embraced four divisions, 
commanded by Brigadier-Generals Charles R. Woods, 
William B. Hazen, John E. Smith, and John M. Corse. 
The First Division had three brigades — the First, com- 
manded by Colonel Milo Smith, 26th Iowa; the Second, 
by Brigadier-General Charles C. Walcutt ; and the Third, 
by Colonel James A. Williamson, 4th Iowa. The Second 
Brigade was composed of seven regiments of infantry as 
follows: the 46th Ohio, under Lieutenant-Colonel I. N. 
Alexander ; the 40th Illinois under Lieutenant-Colonel H. 

355 
24 



356 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

W. Hall; the Gth Iowa under Major W. H. Clune; the 
103rd Illinois under Major A. Willison; the 97th Indiana, 
under Colonel Robert F. Catterson; the 100th Indiana, 
under Major Ruel M. Johnson; and the 26th Illinois, 
under Captain George H. Reed. All the rest of the bri- 
gades, divisions and corps were organized in the same 
manner and each regiment was composed of ten com- 
panies each — the company being the unit of organiza- 
tion. 

Special field orders were issued by the general com- 
manding the army, and also by department, corps, and 
division commanders, setting out explicit directions for 
the government and discipline of the army and detailed 
instructions for the order of marching and the manner of 
foraging in the country for supplies, while en route. 

General Sherman gave directions for the first stage of 
the march as follows: the right wing to move via Mc- 
Donough and Monticello to Gordon; the left wing via 
Covington, Social Circle, and Madison to Milledgeville, 
the capital of the State, the cavalry in concert with the 
right wing feigning strong in the direction of Macon, and 
each column to reach its destination, Gordon and Mill- 
edgeville, on the seventh days march. 

The 15th Army Corps was assigned to the right flank 
of the army in its advance. At 6:30 a. m., November 
15th, the First Division broke camp at White Hall and 
moved out on the Rough and Ready road as the advance 
of the corps column. The following order was observed : 
first, the Second Brigade as advance guard for the corps 
column, each regiment followed by one ambulance; sec- 
ond, a battery of artillery, without caissons or battery 
wagon, followed by one regiment of the Second Brigade ; 
third, pioneers ; fourth, the brigade tool wagon and regi- 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 357 

mental wagons; fifth, the First Brigade, each regiment 
followed by one ambulance, the regimental wagon, and 
, one wagon infantry ammunition ; sixth, one-half of the 
. division supply train, followed by five wagons infantry 
ammunition, guarded by one regiment from the First Bri- 
gade distributed by companies along the train; seventh, 
the Third Brigade, each regiment followed by one am- 
bulance, the regimental wagon, and one wagon infantry 
ammunition; eighth, the headquarter trains of the 15th 
Army Coips, the First Division, and the three brigade 
trains, followed by the ambulance train and medical 
wagons, and the remaining half of the division supply 
train, guarded by one regiment of the Third Brigade, 
marching by companies distributed along the column; 
ninth, the rear guard of one regiment from the Third 
Brigade; two companies of which were sent forward to 
the head of column, to be posted as guards for the houses, 
while the divisions were passing. 

That the burdens of the march might be equally dis- 
tributed, it was arranged that divisions alternate, from 
day to day, in leading the corps column, and that the same 
rule be followed by the brigades in the divisions, the regi- 
ments in the brigades and the companies in the regiments. 

The bugles and drums sounded the reveille at 4 a. m., 
on that eventful morning, calling from their bivouac 
65,000 soldiers, who were ready for the initial days march 
that inaugurated a campaign which is embalmed in the 
history of the country, has been told in storj^ to admir- 
ing thousands, sung in songs and set to music, thrilling 
millions of hearts with the inspiring strains of "March- 
ing through Georgia". 

The organization and equipment of the army was in 
the highest state of perfection, while the troops, two- 



358 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

thirds of whom were two and three year veterans, were 
all in superb physical condition, joyful and buoyant 
spirits, full of confidence and hopeful reliance on their 
commanders to lead them forward to new and greater 
victories. 

The day was bright and clear, the air bracing, and the 
whole surrounding country resounded with the music 
of bands, drum corps, and the merry cheering of the sold- 
iers. The long trains of army wagons, with their white 
canvas covers; the long columns of field artillery, with 
eight horses to each gun and caisson; the swift moving 
columns of cavalry, pushing to the front ; the blue thread- 
like lines of marching infantry; and the immense herds 
of beef cattle, filled all the roads leading south and east 
from the city, and, in many places, spread out over the 
abandoned plantations, which made a scene of martial 
splendor ever to be remembered by the participants. 

General Kilpatrick's cavalry commenced to skirmish 
with the enemy early in the morning and continued 
throughout the day, driving General AVheeler's cavalry 
and the Georgia Militia from Eough and Ready and 
Jonesborough. General Kilpatrick used his artillery 
vigorously and routed the enemy at all points. 

The corps marched 18 miles and camped five miles east 
of Jonesborough. On AVednesday, November 16th, the 
column moved out at 8 a. m., in the same order, the men 
all chipper and cheerful, despite the hard march of the 
day before. The roads were good and, for the most part 
of the way, through a level and rich farming section. 
In compliance with the general orders details were made 
in each regiment consisting of an officer and 15 to 20 en- 
listed men to serve as foragers for procuring supplies 
from the plantations. Horses and mules were quickly 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 359 

found on the plantations and all the foragers, if not sup- 
erbly, were at least efficiently mounted. These parties 
gathered from the rich plantations, near the route trav- 
eled, com and forage for the animals, and meal, meat, po- 
tatoes, and poultry for the troops — usually coming in at 
evening well laden. 

The scenes in and about the camps at evening were 
interesting and inspiring, while the men were engaged 
around hundreds of campfires preparing the evening 
meal of fresh pork, sweet potatoes, chickens, pancakes, 
and coffee. The tired and hungry soldiers relished vdth 
keen appetites the frugal meal thus prepared on an open 
fire built in the woods. While seated on the ground 
around the mess board, problems of the campaign were 
discussed with a knowledge and intelligence that would 
have interested those who were burdened mth the re- 
sponsibilities of high command. There were different 
opinions as to the probable objective of the campaign. 
Some said Savannah, others Charleston, others Mobile, 
and not a few thought Eichmond itself was the prize, 
but all were decided and united on one point — to go 
where General Sherman led. 

The column marched 16 miles and camped four miles 
out of McDonough, where all four of the divisions com- 
posing the 15th Army Corps were for the first time united 
and camped together in position. On November 17th, 
the First Division remained in camp until one p. m., 
while the Third and Fourth divisions passed to the front. 
Then the First Division followed and the Second Divi- 
sion brought up the rear of the corps column, all cover- 
ing a distance of 13 miles and camping at 10 p. m., tired 
and supperless. Night marching puts to the test the 
patience and endurance of soldiers. 



360 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



1 



The enemy so far had shown only feeble resistance, not 
enough to retard or hinder the advance of the infantrj?" 
columns. The cavalry had found them in some force 
at Lovejoy 's and Forsyth on the Macon Eailroad, but had 
no serious difficulty in clearing the way for the advanc- 
ing columns. November 18th, a few hours rest was ob- 
tained and the reveille was sounded by bugles and drums, 
calling the troops up for another days march. Breakfast 
was hastily prepared before daylight and dispatched in 
time for the column to form and march out at the first 
peep of daylight in the regular order prescribed for 
marching, with the Fourth Division in front. The 
troops marched 6 miles to the village of Indian Springs 
and camped for the remainder of the day and the night. 

The village of Indian Springs is situated in the beau- 
tiful pine-clad hills bordering on the Ocmulgee River 
and had become quite prominent as a resort for wealthy 
planters and their families during the summer months, 
when the chivalry and aristocracy of the South would 
gather there to enjoy the celebrated springs, the water 
of which gushes out from the hills all around the place. 

The troops were mostly occupied during the remain- 
der of the day mth cooking and eating, while some with 
more inquiring minds scouted about over the adjacent 
hills \dewing the beautiful scenery so bountifully pro- 
vided by nature. Others entered into interesting conver- 
sation with the inhabitants of the village and those who 
had fled from the cities and towns to this far inland re- 
sort, hoping to escape the dread coming of Sherman's 
army. 

One of the incidents — among the many amusing ones 
that occurred during the stay at the place — was the mis- 
fortune that overtook a wedding party from Macon, com- 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 361 

posed of the bride and groom, the bride's sister and her 
gentleman escort. They arrived there on the same day 
as the army, and, by force of circumstances, remained 
all night. At an early hour in the morning, by the grac- 
ious and courteous permission of the General command- 
ing, the wedding party was allowed to take their depart- 
ure for Macon in their carriage, which was dra^vn by two 
slick fat horses. Their journey was soon interrupted by 
an artillery officer, who proceeded to trade teams with 
them, exchanging a poor dilapidated artillery team for 
their nice fat horses. The artilleiy horses balked stark 
still, when the attempt was made to proceed with them. 
The scene was made ludicrous and most painfully dis- 
tressing to the occupants of the carriage by a large crowd 
of jeering soldiers. But the tears of the gentle women 
melted the hearts of the soldiers, who lent a helping hand 
and the party was soon beyond the lines, and on the road 
to home and friends. 

November 19tli, the troops marched 6 miles and crossed 
the Ocmulgee Eiver on a pontoon bridge laid near the 
Planter's Factory, a valuable property that was burned 
and completely destroyed. The troops of the First Divi- 
sion were halted one mile beyond the crossing, where they 
remained until evening, while the wagon trains and ar- 
tillery were crossing the river and going forward. A 
cold drizzling rain set in during the afternoon, which 
soon made the roads muddy and caused the marching to 
be very disagreeable. It was late in the evening when 
the troops took up the line of march again, which was 
continued in almost Egyptian darkness, the men flound- 
ering through the mud and water, slipping and stumbling, 
causing heads to be cracked by the muskets of those 
prostrated in the mud. 



362 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

A halt was made at 2 o 'clock in the nig-ht, and, though 
eveiybody was tired and hungry, the ground wet, muddy, 
and cold, each man constructed a bed with two rails and 
sought the sweet rest that is only known to and appre- 
ciated by a tired and weary soldier. The distance trav- 
eled during the day and night was 15 miles. The rain 
continued to pour down during the night and all attempts 
to make fires for the preparation of a morning meal were 
drowned out. At the first break of day the bugles sound- 
ed the forward and in the midst of all the discomforts of 
the disagreeable surroundings a triumphant shout by the 
men rang out heartily and cheerfully from one end of the 
column to the other. 

The route of march for the day was through the nice 
little village of Hillsborough and the whole division 
camped in the vicinity of Clinton, at 9 p. m., wet, tired, 
and hungry. The rain had been incessant during the 
day. The Sixth Iowa had been detailed as flankers to 
the marching column and had performed that most trying 
and laborious duty from early morning until the column 
halted late at night. They had marched in single file at 
intervals of ten to thirty steps on the flank of the march- 
ing column of troops and trains at a varying distance 
from it of one hundred yards to a half mile; and had 
traveled through woods and cultivated fields, up and 
down steep hills, had waded swollen streams, and had 
been drenched to the skin from head to foot. All this 
put to the test the patience and endurance of the strong- 
est veterans. 

The narrow country roads were soon torn and churned 
into sloughs of impassable mud by the long trains of 
army wagons and heavy artillery carriages. Despite the 
mud and rain the whole column covered a distance of 19 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 363 

miles. Captain 0. M. Poe, General Sherman's Chief 
Engineer, had the direction of the engineer troops, the 
skilled mechanics, pontooniers, and the pioneer corps of 
the army, aggregating a force of 4575 men. At the head 
of each division of troops there marched a pioneer corps, 
composed of 100 white soldiers and 70 negroes, equipped 
for building and repairing the roads and bridges. A 
pontoon train carrying forty canvas boats and their 
equipment, traveled with each wing of the army. The 
bad roads caused by the recent rains had put to the test 
the skill and endurance of this force. 

November 21st, the rain having ceased during the night, 
the morning Avas cold, with a dense fog, almost totally 
obscuring everj^thing. The column passed through the 
county seat to^vn of Clinton during the forenoon. It 
showed evidence of having been a flourishing little city, 
but it had been almost entirely abandoned by its in- 
habitants, they having departed in precipitate flight, on 
the approach of the army. Under cover of the heayj 
fog a small squad of the enemy's cavalrj^. General 
Wheeler's personal escort, dashed into the town and 
captured one man, who was on duty at coi-ps headquar- 
ters. The column was halted at noon, where three days 
rations of crackers, coffee, sugar, and salt were issued, 
and the march was then continued to the ]\Iacon and 
Savannah Railroad, at a point 12 miles east of Macon, 
where the Second Brigade camped on the south side of 
the railroad. A distance of 15 miles was marched dur- 
ing, the day. 

On November 22nd, at daylight, the Second Brigade 
moved out about two miles on the Macon road and formed 
in a large field in close column of regiments to the left of 



364 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the road. From this position could be seen, at the far 
side of the field, a hngh swamp thickly matted with 
brush and timber, where the advance cavalry patrols 
were exchanging shots with the enemy, who was guard- 
ing the road leading into the city of Macon. The weath- 
er was cloudy and crispy cold with spitting snow, the 
little round crystals rattling in the dead pine leaves, 
covering the ground everywhere in the timber. 

The 14th and 20th army corps, composing the left 
wing of the army, were at Milledgeville in possession of 
the Georgia State capital; the 17th Army Corps was at 
Gordon Station on the Macon railroad; the Second and 
Third divisions of the 15th Army Corps were along the 
line of the railroad extending east to Gordon ; the Fourth 
Division, General Corse commanding, was bringing up 
the supply trains and the pontoon train from the Ocmul- 
gee River; while the First Division, General Charles R. 
Woods commanding, was supporting the cavalry and 
guarding the roads leading out of Macon, where the ene- 
my was supposed to be concentrated in considerable force. 
All the troops on the line of the railroad were engaged at 
destroying the track to and beyond Gordon. 

The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General Charles C. 
Walcutt commanding, with six regiments present as fol- 
lows— 40th Illinois, 206 men; 46th Ohio, 218 men; 6th 
Iowa, 177 men; 103rd Illinois, 219 men; 97th Indiana, 
366 men; 100th Indiana, 327 men; total present, 1513; 
one section of Battery B, First Michigan Artillery, Cap- 
tain Amdt commanding, was in the advance and ready 
to support the cavalry, contending at the crossing of the 
big swamp. The 26th Illinois was guarding the divi- 
sion trains then struggling through the deep mud far in 
the rear. The Union cavalry was soon briskly engaged 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 365 

with the advancing forces of General Wheeler's Con- 
federate cavalry at the far side of the swamp, but soon 
broke and stampeded to the rear, passing the brigade in 
a demoralized condition. 

General Walcutt at once deployed the brigade in line 
of battle and sent forward a line of skirmishers from the 
97th Indiana and 103rd Illinois, to meet the advancing 
enemy. The sharp crackling reports of the Spring- 
fields and Spencer rifles were the announcement that the 
skirmishers had found the foe. The brigade moved 
forward, drove the enemy from the swamp and back on 
the Macon road for a distance of two miles, where the 
line was halted and the men commenced building rail 
barricades. The skirmish line continued to advance, 
supported by the 46th Ohio, driving the enemy out of and 
beyond the \illage of Griswold\ille. The object of the 
demonstration being accomplished the skimiishers and 
supporting forces were withdrawn and joined the rest 
of the brigade in the edge of the timber skirting the east 
side of the Duncan farm. A fresh detail relieved the 
skirmishers, who had served since early morning, and 
were posted in the timber beyond the open fields in front 
of the brigade lines. The barricades being partially com- 
pleted at noon, the men hastily prepared hot coffee and 
ate their dinner of raw bacon, hardtack and coffee. 

At one p. m., firing was renewed at the front, when the 
skirmishers came running back across the fields, hats off 
and shouting, ''they are coming, they are coming". 
The bugles sounded the assembly and the regiments 
formed in their places along the line and the work of 
strengthening the barricades commenced in earnest. 
The brigade thus posted behind light barricades, with 
its flanks protected by swamps and an open field in 



366 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

front, the men anxiously awaited the appearance of the 
approaching forces of the enemy. 

The position of the Sixth Iowa in the line was near the 
center and just to the right of the Macon wagon road, 
with the 103rd Illinois and 97th Indiana extending the 
line to the right nearly to the railroad, while the artillery 
was posted in the wagon road near the log cabins, which 
w^ere mostly torn down and utilized in building the barri- 
cades. The 100th Indiana, 40th Illinois, and 46th Ohio, 
in that order, extended the line from the battery to the 
swamp, on the left. 

The enemy's forces marched out of the timber into 
the open field mth three lines of infantr}^, either one of 
which more than covered the brigade front. Their lines 
were pushed boldly foi-^vard, with colors flying and loud 
cheering by the men, presenting a battle array calculated 
to appall the stoutest hearts. Captain Arndt opened 
fire on them with his two guns and was replied to sharply 
by four guns of the enemy posted in the open field at a 
distance of 700 or 800 yards, with great accuracy of fire, 
the first shot striking and destroying one of the two 
caissons. 

On and on came the advancing lines across the field 
until they reached a shallow ravine or swampy marsh 
filled with a dense growth of short bushes and brush, 
which ran parallel to and 75 to 100 yards in front of the 
brigade line. The musketry fire poured in by the bri- 
gade was so terribly effective that the advance line took 
advantage of the depression and halted under cover of 
the brush, not, however, until many of their number were 
stretched upon the field, killed or wounded. The second 
and third lines followed the first successively, some of 
the men reaching the ravine, while many remained out 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 367 

in the open field exposed to the murderous fire from the 
men behind the barricades. The battle raged for two 
hours with great fury, the most stubborn determination 
being exhibited by both sides, without material advan- 
tage to either. The enemy reformed their lines in the 
ravine from which position they made three assaults, 
but met each time with a bloody repulse. Their com- 
manding officers were seen to fall while leading and mak- 
ing gallant and determined efforts to urge their troops 
forward. 

The enemy's well served artillery continued to do ser- 
ious damage along the entire line of the brigade and 
succeeded in killing most of the horses, disabling the 
guns, and wounding several of Captain Arndt's battery- 
men, compelling him to withdraw from the front and re- 
tire from the engagement. The ammunition wagons 
were ordered to the front, the teams being urged up to 
the firing line, where many of the mules were shot and 
crippled. There was issued to the men a fresh supply 
of cartridges, when the musketry fire was renewed with 
great vigor. 

The incessant roar of artillery and musketry, accom- 
panied by the loud cheering and yelling of the men on 
both sides, combined to present a scene of intense battle 
and caused great carnage in human life. In the midst 
of the engagement Brigadier-General Charles C. Wal- 
cutt, w^hile commanding, was severely wounded in the 
leg below the knee which caused him to retire from the 
field when Colonel Eobert F. Catterson, 97th Indiana, 
assumed command of the brigade. The fighting had been 
at close range from one p. m. until sundown, when the 
enemy gave up the struggle and retired in the direction 
of Macon, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. 



368 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The forces of the enemy engaged were mostly composed 
of Georgia Militia and Georgia State Line troops, who 
fought with dogged desperation to the last, but were al- 
most helpless after their appearance in the open field, 
where they were easy marks for the veterans of the 
Second Brigade, with their Springfield and Spencer 
rifles, and were slain by hundreds. The enemy's excel- 
lent artillery fire had caused the most of the casualties 
in the Sixth Iowa. A single shell that stnick and ex- 
ploded in the rail and log barricade at the point where 
the regimental colors were wa\ang, killed Color-Ser- 
geant [Bearer?] Robert F. Stewart, blowing the top of his 
head off and saturating the colors with his blood, and 
severely wounded eight more men of the regiment. The 
effect of a twelve -pounder shell striking and exploding in 
the barricades was to cause the rails to fly in all direc- 
tions, inflicting many casualties. 

A detail made from each regiment, in charge of an 
officer, advanced out over the field abandoned by the 
enemy and captured a number of prisoners, being men 
who had halted and sought shelter in the ravine. The 
scenes of death, pain, and desolation seen on that field 
will never be erased from the memory of those who wit- 
nessed it. Where the battle had raged fiercely and the 
enemy had made a desperate stand, in the midst of a 
large number of dead and dying men, was found a modest 
appearing countryman with gray beard, who exhibited 
under his coarse shirt a mortal wound in his breast and 
then, making a feeble gesture with his hand, said: "My 
neighborhood is ruined, these people are all my neigh- 
bors" — meaning that the slain there surrounding him 
were his neighbors at his Georgia home. When darkness 
set in and obscured the scene, all firing ceased and nothing 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 369 

was heard but the mournful sighing of the wind among 
the pines and the pitiable moans of the wounded and 
dying. General Woods, commanding the division, and 
General Osterhaus, commanding the corps, together with 
a large number of distinguished officers of the araiy, who 
were present on the field and who witnessed the con- 
duct of the men and officers of the Second Brigade, said : 
''There never was a better brigade of soldiers". 

At 8 p. m., orders were issued to be in readiness to 
move and at 9 p. m., the brigade marched aw^ay from the 
field it had maintained with such gallantry, recrossed the 
big swamp, joined the other two brigades of the division 
at the railroad, and camped for the remainder of the 
night. The loss sustained in the brigades was 13 killed, 
79 wounded — 42 of w^hom were permanently disabled, 
2 missing ; total, 94 men. 

The desperate exigencies of the situation in Georgia at 
the time had brought to Macon a large number of promi- 
nent military leaders of the Confederacy, notably : Gen- 
eral P. G. T. Beauregard, Lieutenant-Generals W. J. Har- 
dee, Eichard Taylor, and Joseph Wheeler, and Major- 
Generals Howell Cobb, Robert Toombs, and G. W. Smith, 
and all the available forces in that section had been con- 
centrated there under the immediate command of General 
Smith, composed almost entirely of Georgia Militia and 
Georgia State Line troops. 

At 8 a. m., on the 22nd, Brigadier-General Pleasant 
J. Phillips, mth four brigades of infantry and Ander- 
son's battery of Confederate artillery, left East Macon 
and arrived at Grisw^oldville at noon, where he joined 
the forces who had been resisting the advance during the 
morning at the swamp and about the hamlet of Griswold- 
ville. The combined forces, numbering over 4000 men 



370 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

commanded by able Confederate generals, had made the 
assaults on the Second Brigade during the afternoon. 
Their loss in the engagement was reported by General 
Smith at the time to be a little over 600 killed and wound- 
ed, wdth several of the best field officers of the command 
among the killed and mortally wounded. 

The Sixth Iowa's position in the line at the cabins was 
the ** storm center" of the engagement, from the begin- 
ning to the end. The regiment sustained losses as fol- 
lows : 

Killed : Private John W. Bro^v^l, Company C ; Color- 
Sergeant [Bearer!] Robert F. Stewart, Company E; Pri- 
vate Horatio P. Jackson, and Coiporal Benjamin Matth- 
ews, Company I ; Private AVilliam H. Barr, Company K ; 
total killed, 5. 

Wounded: Sergeant Charles Changler, Company A, 
in the chin, arm, and leg; Private John B. Thomas, Com- 
pany B, in the shoulder, severely; Corporal John W. 
Case, Company C, in the arms and over the right eye; 
Private Walter Haddock, Company C, right arm ampu- 
tated at the shoulder joint ; Color-Bearer William Lam- 
bert, Company C, slightly; Private Humphrey Mont- 
gomery, Company C, in the left foot; Private Caleb T. 
Price, Company C, flesh wound in the thigh; Sergeant 
William H. Oviatt, Company C, by a shell, slightly ; Pri- 
vate John B. Brown, Company D, slightly; Private 
Joseph Ellis, Company D, in both hips, severely; Cor- 
poral James M. Hutchinson, Company D, by shell, slight- 
ly ; Private John W. Le Grand, Company D, in the head, 
slightly; Private David Senter McKeehan, Company D, 
in the hip and back, severely ; Private V. Thornton Ware, 
Company D, slightly; Sergeant Richard W. Courtney, 
Company E, severely ; Private John G. Scoville, Company 



BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE 371 

F, ill right leg and shoulder, severely ; Lieutenant George 
W. Clark, Company I, in the left leg, severely; Private 
Charles F. Donsay, Company I, severely; Private Oscar 
W. Lowery, Company I, in both shoulders, severely; Ser- 
geant Zachariah Thomas, Company I, slightly; total 
wounded, 20; aggregate loss, 25 men. -® 

The dead were carefully and tenderly wrapped in their 
blankets and buried on the field near where they fell, and 
the w^ounded were properly cared for by the surgeons 
and the hospital corps. All of the wounded were carried 
along with the column in the ambulances, many of them 
being hauled the entire distance of 190 miles to Savannah 
on the sea coast. 

28 The twentieth man wounded was Private John G. Scoville of Company 
F. — Report of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 1866-1867, Vol. I, p. 502. 



25 



XXIII 

THE MARCH TO THE SEA 

The chilly cold weather continued, being unusual in that 
latitude, but it was hailed as the sure destroyer of the 
dreaded yellow fever, which it was feared would appear 
in the army, when it approached the gulf or coast region. 

On the 23rd, the First Division marched 2 miles in the 
direction of Gordon, where it halted in an old field, built 
a line of rifle-pits, and prepared dinner. In the after- 
noon it moved out again and marched 2 miles to the vi- 
cinity of Gordon and camped for the night, with the Sixth 
Iowa on picket guard. 

November 24th, the regiment resumed its place in tlie 
brigade column and moved out with the whole column at 
daylight, marched 12 miles and camped at 2 p. m. around 
the pleasant little country town of Irwinton, two miles 
south of the railroad. Light fortifications were built and 
the command remained in camp for the night. The in- 
habitants along the route of march were generally great- 
ly terrified at the approach of the army and believed the 
soldiers a thousand times worse than they proved to be. 
Several soldiers having been bitten by blood-hounds, per- 
mission was given in orders to kill them, wherever found. 

General Corse, with his Fourth Division of the 15th 
Amiy Corps, was charged with the taking up of the pon- 
toon bridges at the Ocmulgee River and bringing them 
and the 15th Corps supply trains forward. The almost 
impassable condition of the wagon roads had delayed 
the movement so that sixty-five six-mule teams were sent 

372 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 373 

back to Clinton to assist in bringing forward the eight 
hundred loaded wagons. The movements of the differ- 
ent columns in the first stage of the campaign were made 
with such regularity that each one had reached the ap- 
pointed destination at the exact time prescribed in the 
orders. 

In special field orders from the general headquarters, 
the second stage of the campaign was disclosed to the 
army commanders directing each separate column. Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick, with the division of cavalry, was trans- 
ferred to the left wing via Milledgeville, and was di- 
rected to rescue the Union prisoners, confined at Millen ; 
General Howard, with the right wing, was to move along 
the south side of the railroad to a point opposite Saund 
ersville, breaking up and destroying in the most thorough 
manner the railroad and telegraph ; and General Slocum, 
with the left wing, was to move directly from Milledge- 
ville to the railroad opposite Saundersville, and at once 
commence destroying the railroad forward to the Ogee- 
chee River. 

On the 25th, the troops marched 6 miles and halted in 
line of battle facing south, where the First Division built 
a line of works covering the troops engaged at destroy- 
ing the railroad. In the afternoon the march was con- 
tinued 7 miles to the Oconee River, where there was 
heavy artillery firing and skirmishing with small arms, 
along the banks of the river. 

November 26th, the enemy was driven away from the 
opposite bank by flanking forces, who crossed above and 
below the position. The pontoon train was brought for- 
ward, two bridges laid at Ball's Ferry'-, and the troops 
commenced crossing at noon. The Oconee at this point 
is about as wide as the Ocmulgee at Planter's Factory, 



374 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



but a very swift current made it difficult to keep the pon- 
toons in position. On account of the continued rain and 
consequent bad roads the engineer troops and pioneer 
corps were taxed to the utmost after crossing the Ocmul- 
gee River, but in spite of almost unsurmountable diffi- 
culties they were up on time and laid the two bridges and 
took them up again at the Oconee, with remarkable dis- 
patch. 

Each pontoon wagon carried an equipment for con- 
structing one pontoon boat, which was composed of a 
light wooden stracture, framed together in the shape of 
an ordinary scow-boat, 6 to 8 feet wide and 20 feet long, 
with a large canvas tarpaulin to cover it, and then it was 
a boat ready to float. The frame for the boat was so con- 
structed that it could be quickly put together and as 
quickly taken all apart and reloaded upon the wagon, to- 
gether with the canvas tai^aulin, an iron anchor and the 
ropes necessar\^ for anchoring the boat in position in the 
stream, wooden stringers for connecting the boats to- 
gether in the bridge, planks for flooring, bolts, clamps, 
and cables completing the outfit. 

The process of laying the bridge consisted of placing 
the first boat in the water, the length of a stringer from 
the shore, then placing one boat after another, all being 
fastened together by the stringers and floored with the 
planks, until the opposite shore was reached. Then with 
the whole securely anchored and stayed from the shores 
by cables, it was ready for the troops and heavy army 
wagons to cross over it. A column of troops, the artil- 
lery^, or the heavy army wagons passing over the bridge 
would settle the frail boats low in the water, but the pon- 
toons proved to be reliable and furnished safe crossing 
for the army over the broadest and most difficult streams 
en route to the sea. 



I 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 375 

The First Missouri Engineer Regiment, 530 men, with 
twenty-eight canvas pontoon boats and wagons, and 
thirty tool, forage, and supply wagons, composed the 
pontoonier coi^js for the right wing of the army. It w^as 
so complete in its equipment and instruction that a bridge 
300 yards long could be laid across a stream and troops 
and trains be crossing over it, within an hour's time. 

Sunday, November 27th, the troops of the First Divi- 
sion remained in camp until one p. m. Foraging details 
were sent out during the morning to collect supplies, re- 
turning to camp at noon with large quantities of meat, 
meal, and potatoes. The march was resumed during the 
afternoon and the column camped at Reedersville at 9 
p. m., having traveled 12 miles. 

At daylight, on the 28th, the column broke camp and 
marched all day through a desolate pine woods, dotted 
with numerous swamps and sluggish streams that were 
a constant hindrance to the progress of the column, often 
causing halts of three, four and sometimes five and six 
hours. The section of country passed through was thin- 
ly settled by poor white people and scarcely any negroes 
were seen. The distance marched during the day was 
15 miles and all four of the 15th Army Corps divisions 
camped witliin supporting distance of each other in the 
pine woods south of the railroad. The camp fires were 
made Avith pine-knots gathered in the forest for firewood 
and, at daylight the next morning, soldiers and negroes 
were all the same color. 

On the 29th, pursuant to orders by Brigadier-General 
Charles R. Woods, commanding the First Division, the 
troops resumed the march at 8 a. m., in the direction of 
Summer\411e, all the troops and trains conforming strictly 
to the orders for marching. The Second Brigade 
marched by regiments on the right flank of the trains, at 



376 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

proper intervals, covering the supply, ambulance, and 
ordnance trains of the division. The route of march 
was over dim country roads, where a dense forest of long- 
leaved pines covered the poor sandy soil completely, ex- 
cluding all vegetation. Camp was again pitched in the 
pine woods three miles from Summerville, after a dis- 
tance of 18 miles had been marched. 

On November 30th, Colonel Milo Smith's First Bri- 
gade had the advance in the column for the day. Colo- 
nel Smith sent for^vard his advance regiment at 7 a. m., 
supplied with axes, picks, and shovels, with instructions 
to assist the pioneer corps in corduroying the road — be- 
ginning at the first swampy crossing in front of the camp. 
Besides corduroying numerous swampy crossings, the 
column covered a distance of 16 miles during the day, 
passed through Summerville and camped on Long Creek. 

Thursday, December 1, 1864, the 15th Army Corps 
marched all day in two colmnns of two divisions each on 
parallel roads, with the First and Fourth divisions on 
the main Savannah road. The 17th Army Corps ad- 
vanced along the Savannah and Macon Eailroad, de- 
stroying the road-bed, every tie and sleeper being burned, 
and every rail heated and warped. The left wing of the 
army and Kilpatrick's division of cavalry approached 
the railroad, connecting Savannah and Augusta, at 
Waynesborough, where they were engaged with General 
Wheeler's cavalry for the possession of the road. The 
two divisions camped for the night on a large plantation 
within a mile of the Ogeechee River, having marched a 
distance of 10 miles during the day. 

The advance was continued on the 2nd, in the same or- 
der of two columns, the Fourth Division in the advance. 
The progress was slow and tedious, on account of the 



THE MAECH TO THE SEA 377 

long trains and large herds of cattle, which had great 
difficulty in crossing a great swamp. The distance made 
was only 5 miles, but nearly every foot of it was cordu- 
royed, the timber for the purpose being cut and pro- 
cured from the forest on either side of the road traveled 
over. The Sixth Iowa was the detail from the Second 
Brigade for picket guard during the night and went an 
duty at the outposts. The column remained halted dur- 
ing the next day, the regiment remaining on picket guard 
until evening, when it was relieved and resumed its place 
in the brigade camp. Three brigades from the column 
crossed to the north side of the Ogeechee River on a 
pontoon bridge and were engaged during the day at de- 
stroying the railroad near Millen. 

On December 4th, the 15th Army Corps continued the 
march down the Ogeechee River, on the south side, in the 
same order as on previous days, the First Division lead- 
ing the left column. The division and corps commanders 
were specially \dgilant and careful in selecting defensive 
positions for the encampments at night as the column ap- 
proached nearer the coast, taking advantage of all natural 
points of security, such as creeks and swamps, to cover 
exposed flanks. The strictest fidelity to duty was re- 
quired of the picket guards, who protected the camps 
from suiprise or sudden attack by the enemy. The corps 
marched 15 miles and camped on Wilson's Creek. 

December 5th, the march was continued in the same or- 
der, the Fourth Division in the advance. The right 
column did considerable firing near Statesborough during 
the day. The character of country traveled through 
while descending the Ogeechee River was of a flat swam- 
py nature, intersected by numerous sluggish creeks, the 
water of w^hich was of a dark brown color, caused by the 



378 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

pine leaves falling in the swamps. The four divisions of 
the corps were united in the evening at the junction of 
the upper and lower Savannah roads, opposite Guyton 
on the railroad. The distance marched during the day 
was 15 miles. 

On December 6th, the whole corps remained camped 
during the day, except the First Brigade of the First Di- 
vision, which made a demonstration to Wright's bridge, 
preceded by the 29th Missouri Regiment of mounted in- 
fantry, for the purpose of securing the crossing at that 
point over the Ogeechee River to Eden Station on the 
railroad. The troops were all supplied with three days 
rations in haversacks and full 40 rounds of ammunition 
in cartridge boxes. Late in the afternoon the whole 
command moved forAvard 8 miles, camped in position and 
erected a line of substantial field works. 

December 7th, the command remained camped and it 
rained a steady downpour nearly all day and all night, 
this being the first rain had since leaving the vicinity of 
Macon. All of the advance guards and reconnoitering 
parties during the day had frequent skirmishes with the 
enemy and at many points the engagements were fierce 
and determined, \rith some loss on both sides. It was 
evident to all that Savannah was the objective point and 
would soon be invested by the whole army. For many 
days at regular intei^vals a dull rumbling sound, like dis- 
tance explosions, was distinguishable by placing the ear 
close to the ground. This was discovered to be the heavy 
guns in Charleston harbor bombarding the city and Fort 
Sumter, more than 50 miles away. 

On December 8th, the column marched 15 miles and en- 
camped 4 miles from Eden Court House, the Sixth Iowa 
going on picket guard for the night. Heavy cannonad- 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 379 

ing was heard to the north and in the direction of the 
city of Savannah during the day. On the 9th, the regi- 
ment remained on picket guard all day and rejoined the 
brigade in camp at evening. The heavy cannonading 
had continued throughout the day in the direction of the 
city. The brigades of the 15th Corps were scattered in 
all directions to guard roads, and to seek crossings and 
approaches towards Savannah. 

On December 10th, orders were issued by General Sher- 
man for the investment of Savannah. General Slocum, 
with the left flank, was to rest his forces on the Savan- 
nali River above the city, while General Howard was to 
extend his troops from Slocum 's right around to the 
river below the city, the 15th Corps being on the extreme 
right and charged Avith the task of opening communica- 
tions with the fleet on the coast via. the Ogeechee River. 
At an early hour in the morning, the Sixth loAva was de- 
tailed and escorted a forage train of 30 wagons to the 
country for corn. The regiment marched 3 miles and 
found plenty of com, loaded the wagons, returned to 
camp and found it abandoned by the troops. The Sixth 
Iowa then followed in the wake of the troops to the Ogee- 
chee River, where they were found crossing at Dillon's 
Feriy near Fort Argyle, on a pontoon bridge. All horses 
and mules used by unauthorized persons in the army 
were ordered to be stopped at the pontoon bridge and 
there turned over to the quartermaster for future dispo- 
sition — which was generally understood to be death. 

General Woods and General Hazen with their First 
and Second divisions of the 15th Army Coi-ps crossed 
the river on the pontoons, marched out and struck the 
Savannah and Ogeechee Canal at sundown. They con- 
tinued the march on the towpath for 9 miles in the di- 



380 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

rection of the city of Savannah, to the Augusta and 
Darian road crossing, then left the canal and turned to 
the right for a distance of 2 miles. Here they went into 
position at 10 p. m., and built a line of works covering 
the front and connecting with the Fourth Division, Gen- 
eral Corse commanding, on the right, within range of the 
enemy's fortified position on the north side of the Little 
Ogeechee swamps, six miles from the city of Savannah. 
The total distance marched during the day was 23 miles. 

The evening march along the canal towpath in the 
bright moonlight amid picturesque scenes of poetic 
beauty, so closely allied with weird scenes and sounds in 
the solitude of the great dismal swamps, aroused memor- 
ies of song and story, which soon found expression in an 
outburst of song melody by the troops in the marching 
column, which sang, ''Down on the Swanee Eiver", ''Old 
Kentucky Home", "John Brown", "Just Before the 
Battle, Mother", and many other popular songs of war 
times. Despite the fact that orders were issued for the 
troops to keep quiet during the night march, never before 
did the solitude of that great swamp resound with such 
a flow of patriotic melody and hearty cheering as it did 
on that beautiful December evening while 10,000 Union 
soldiers marched and sang. The great spreading live 
oaks and the tall specter-like pines, fringing the banks of 
the narrow and straight canal, formed an arch over it 
through which the shimmering rays of the full moon cast 
streaks of mellow light reflecting the shadows of the 
marching soldiers in the smooth surface of the dark green 
water. 

At the break of day on the next morning, the enemy 
fired a volley of artillery from their works located on the 
opposite side of the big rice field that intei'vened between 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 381 

the lines, which brought eveiy man out from under his 
blanket and into his position in the line, with military 
promptitude. The shot and shell from their well served 
batteries went crashing through the brush and timber for 
more than an hour in most uncomfortable proximity to 
the troops who were covered by temporary rifle-pits built 
in the night. 

The firing soon developed tlie enemy's line of defense 
behind the Little Ogeechee — a wide swamp traversed by 
a rice canal, which was subject to the influence of the 
ocean tides and used for flooding the rice-fields. Large 
numbers of the enemy were seen to gather on the para- 
pets of their fortifications, and, with their flags and ban- 
ners defiantly waving, awaited the anticipated attack. 
The flooded rice-fields, impenetrable swamps, and deep 
streams intervening precluded any direct assault on their 
lines. The temporary rifle-pits built in the night were 
readjusted and strengthened during the day and the skir- 
mishers pressed forward, close up to the enemy's posi- 
tion. 

Late in the evening, the First Division, General Woods 
commanding, was moved three miles to the right onto the 
Major [G. W. ?] Anderson plantation, when the troops 
were compelled to run the gantlet of the enemy's fire 
while crossing a portion of the big rice-field on the levee. 
The division took up a new position on the Savannah and 
King's bridge road, still connecting with General Corse's 
division on the right. The Second Division, General 
Hazen commanding, took position two miles in the rear 
of the front lines, and the Third Division, General John 
E. Smith commanding, was posted on the Gulf Railroad 
guarding the approaches from the south, and protecting 
the wagon trains and a herd of six or seven thousand beef 



382 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

cattle, which were corralled between the lines in front and 
the Ogeechee Eiver at the rear. 

On December 12th, it was arranged for a daily detail of 
one regiment from each brigade to occupy the rifle-pits in 
front while the rest of the command camped about a mile 
back to the rear in a beautiful pine grove on the Savan- 
nah road, 9 miles from the city. The siege was now fair- 
ly inaug-urated by the whole army being closed up onto 
the outer defenses around the city, with the 15th Corps 
on the right, the 17th, 14th, and 20th corps in successive 
order around to the Savannah River, at a point three 
miles above the city. 

Owing to hard rains, after occupying the position, 
the wagon roads leading through the low^ marshy places 
were soon converted into a sea of mud, but the pioneer 
corps, aided by large details of men and teams from the 
commands, double corduroyed all the roads leading to 
the camps so that there was no fear even of continued 
bad weather. All the rations remaining in the wagons 
were now issued and distributed among the troops, mak- 
ing it perfectly evident to ever>' one that a new cracker 
line would soon have to be opened. 

On December 13th, the Second Division, 15th Army 
Corps, General Hazen commanding, assaulted and cap- 
tured Fort McAllister at 5 p. m., which was a very hand- 
some affair. The fort was situated on the Ogeechee Riv- 
er and had successfully defied and repelled the assaults of 
the navy for three years and was considered impregnable 
to the assaults by army or navy. The captures made in 
the fort were 200 men and officers, 22 heavy guns, and 
40 tons of ammunition. The loss in the Second Division 
was 24 men and officers killed and 110 officers and men 
severely wounded. The casualties were mostly caused 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 383 

by bursting torpedoes which were thickly planted in all 
the approaches leading up to the fort. General Sherman, 
General Howard, and many other officers, and a large 
number of enlisted men from the commands near by, 
witnessed the engagement from elevated positions on 
rice-mills, situated on the opposite side of the river from 
the fort. 

Communication was at once opened with the Union 
fleet in the Ogeechee Eiver below the fort, which insured 
an ocean base for supplies and the early possession of 
the city of Savannah. On December 14th, the Sixth 
Iowa went on duty in the front skirmish-pits, at dark. 
Substantial earthworks had been built in front of the 
First Division position, on the right and left of the ceme- 
tery battery, so that in case of a sortie by the enemy they 
could be quickly occupied by the troops conveniently 
camped in the rear. 

On December 15th, a heavy fire was opened all along 
the lines and the enemy replied vigorously with the ar- 
tillery and small arms. The regiment was hotly engaged 
during the day firing at the enemy in his rifle-pits and 
heavj^ earthworks on the opposite side of the rice-canal. 
It was relieved at dark by another regiment and the men 
returned to the camp, one mile to the rear. There were 
no casualties during the 24 hours that the regiment was 
under fire. The most expert sharpshooters in the works 
of the enemy were never able to catch a man exposed in 
the open to their unerring fire. 

King's bridge on the Ogeechee River, in the rear of 
the 15th Amiy Coi-ps lines and 14 miles from the city of 
Savannah, where the ocean steamers arrived, was estab- 
lished as the base and depot of supplies for the army. 
All negroes, horses, mules, and army wagons, not re- 



384 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

quired during the siege operations around tlie city, to- 
gether with all of the sick and wounded men, were sent 
back to the Ogeechee River and Fort McAllister. From 
there the disabled were sent by boats to Port Eoyal 
Island and to far northern points where they would re- 
ceive better care and attention, and more plentiful sup 
plies. 

There was pleasant weather, with brisk cannonading 
along the lines during the day, on the 16th. The first 
mail since leaving Atlanta was received, bringing news 
from home and friends. The mail for the army had ac- 
cumulated in large quantities on board of vessels from 
northern ports, until the delivery at King's bridge w^as 
so large that it required several army wagons to convey 
it out to the lines for delivery to the troops of the differ- 
ent commands. 

By December 17th, something to eat had become the 
paramount issue and a very serious matter in most of the 
camps. The issue made from the wagons had been ex- 
hausted and all the forage in the country had been gath- 
ered, and there was nothing left except to gather the new 
crop of rice from the surrounding plantations, thresh it 
out, pestle the hulls off in native mortars and then cook 
it in the tide water. By commencing early in the morn- 
ing, one could harvest, thresh, hull out, cook, and have 
ready to serve at supper in the evening, one quart of rice. 

The rice-fields were perfectly level and arranged for be- 
ing flooded with sea water, during the process of growing 
the crop, from canals and reservoirs made for that pur- 
pose, which were filled at high tide for use, the fields be- 
ing drained at low tide. The plantations in the vicinity 
of the besieging forces had been flooded by the enemy, in 
the hope of effectually destroying the crop, but, by wad- 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 385 

ing in the mud and water, much of the grain was success- 
fully gathered and consumed by the army. 

On December 18th, General Sherman^^ made a demand 
for the surrender of Savannah, sent in under a flag of 
truce, which was refused by General Hardee. Every- 
thing about the situation portended an early assault on 
the enemy's works. The Sixth Iowa was brought to the 
front lines as a support to the battery firing on the ene- 
my's main works. The men enjoyed a good night's rest, 
although in the face of the enemy and lying under six 
heavy guns in the battery. 

The skinnishers in the rifle-pits kept up a lively pop- 
ping during the day, on the 19th, but only the distant roar 
of artillery was heard. The regiment was relieved after 
dark and returned to the camp, when a supply of rations 
was issued consisting of hard bread, bacon, coffee, sugar, 
and salt — the first issued from the new base of supplies 
at King's bridge on the Ogeechee Eiver. 

On December 20th, at an early hour in the morning, 
with the intention of preventing a suspected evacuation 
by the enemy, all the batteries of the 15th Amiy Corps 
opened fire on the forts and the main works of the enemy 
with splendid practice. The enemy replied mth their 
heavy guns, but they were soon compelled to cease firing 
on account of the terrific fire of the Union guns and the 
deadly fire of the sharpshooters in the rifle-pits, who kept 
vigilant watch for every head that appeared above the 
fortifications. Heavy firing continued throughout the 
day all along the lines, from the Ogeechee River to the 
Savannah River. 



29 General Sherman, in his report, said that he demanded the surrender 
of Savannah on December 17th and that General Hardee refused the 
demand the following day. — War of the Bebellion: Official Becords, Series 
I, Vol. XLIV, p. 11. 



386 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The Sixth Iowa remained quiet in camp all day and 
then went on duty again at dark in the front rifle-pits, 
where every preparation was being made to assault the 
enemy's works at daylight the next morning. During 
the night, the vedette skirmishers kept vigilant Avateh on 
the movements of the enemy, but under cover of the dark ;| 
night they succeeded in getting away. Their flight was 
discovered before daylight and the Sixth Iowa entered 
their main fortifications, situated on the King's bridge 
and Savannah road. Private V. Thornton Ware of Com 
pany D, 6th Iowa, was the first man to cross over the i| 
canal at the Savannah road on the bridge stringers and 
announce the evacuation. 

The whole anny was at once put in motion and marched 
triumphantly into the city. The 20th Ai-my Corps, hav 
ing only three miles to travel, was first to enter and took 
possession of the city and the forts. AVhen the First Di 
\^sion, leading the 15th Corps, arrived at the south edge 
of the city, the Sixth Iowa was detached on a special mis- 
sion, passed through toA\ai and down to old Fort Jackson, 
a short distance below, which was found occupied by a 
regiment from the 20th Anny Corps. The regiment, lat- 
er in the day, returned through the city and camped in 
position mth the Second Brigade, on the south side near 
the Catholic cemeteiy, just inside of the old Confederate 
fortifications erected at the beginning of the war for the 
defense of the place. 

The enemy had escaped during the night over a pon 
toon bridge, made with rice boats, spanning the Savannah 
River in front of the city and connecting with the Union 
causeway, on the South Carolina shore. 

The city of Savannah was one of the richest captures 
made during the war. General Osterhaus in summing up 
the results of the campaign said; 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 387 

Since October 4th to December 21st, the Fifteenth Army 
Corps had marched .... 684 miles; cut, corduroyed, 
and otherwise constructed thirty-two miles of road, built 1,502 
yards of bridge ; while it destroyed most effectually over 60 
miles of railroad. Being on an exposed flank, the corps had a 
large share of the fighting during the campaign, and the actions 
at AUatoona, Griswoldville, and Fort McAllister will shine as 
bright stars in the record of the corps. . . . With the as- 
sistance of Generals Woods, Hazen, Smith, and Corse, there 
are but few things Avhich cannot be achieved by such officers 
and men as the Fifteenth Army Corps is composed of. 

The casualties in the 15th Anny Corps, during the 
pursuit of Hood and the Savannah campaign, were: 
killed, 12 ofiicers and 182 men; wounded, 36 officers and 
585 men ; missing, 25 officers and 612 men ; aggregate loss, 
1452 men. 

General Sherman, summing up the results of the cam- 
paign in orders to the army, said : 

So complete a success in military operations, extending over 
half a continent, is an achievement that entitles it to a place in 
the military history of the world. 

The army that marched down to the sea and captured 
Savannah was invincible in all its parts, generalship, or- 
ganization, administration, discipline, cheerfulness, con- 
stancy, brilliancy, and gallantly. This was evidenced 
by its long and difficult march, without the loss of a gun 
or linchpin; by the capture and occupancy of a hostile 
city, without injury to person or property ; and, by open- 
ing up local trade and establishing commerce for its peo- 
ple with the whole world. 

The First, Third, and Fourth divisions of the 15th 
Corps were revie^ved by General Sherman in the city, on 
December 24th. The troops formed on West and South 



26 



388 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Broad streets, at 9 a. m., all appearing neat and clean. 
The officers wore swords and sashes, the men were in 
light marching order, without knapsacks, blankets, or 
haversacks ; companies were equalized ; and the field music 
and regimental bands were consolidated and placed on 
the right of the brigade. On the approach of the review- 
ing party the ranks were opened and the troops presented 
arms. After the party had passed in front of each bri- 
gade the command was brought to parade rest. 

Preparatory to marching in review the troops were 
fonned in column of companies, the artilleiy brigade in 
the rear of the infantry. The column marched in quick 
time, sweeping through the broad streets of the beautiful 
city, mth music by bands and drum corps, flags and ban- 
ners waving in the pleasant southern breeze — exciting 
the pride and admiration of soldiers, and ehciting the 
highest compliments from the citizens. General Sher- 
man, with a large reviemng party, took position in the 
lower part of the city near the docks, where mounted 
officers only saluted when passing the reviewing stand. 

When each brigade had passed the reviewing point, 
the troops were then double-quicked for a distance, clear- 
ing the way for the advancing column, and then returned 
to camp at route step. The camps were established and 
the troops at once erected temporary quarters, with such 
canvas, lumber, and other available material as could be 
procured. These quarters proved to be comfortable and 
all hands settled dowTi for a season of quiet and rest. 

General Sherman, in a formal communication, present 
ed the city of Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christ- 
mas gift, which was welcomed by the President in a gra- 
cious acknowledgment to General Sherman and his army, 
highly complimenting them for the splendid service ren- 
dered in the campaign. 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 389 

The war obstructions were soon removed from the Sa- 
vannah Eiver, after which ocean steam and sail craft 
filled the docks along the levee, and commerce was again 
resumed mth the outer world. The rigorous blockade 
maintained by the Union navy for nearly four years had 
almost hermetically sealed the port against all trade and 
traffic by sea going vessels. New England sail vessels 
in large numbers soon found their way to the open port, 
where they discharged their cargoes of beans, peas, and 
all sorts and kinds of merchandise and supplies for the 
army and citj^ trade. Cotton was worth from $400 to 
$600 per bale; and, stored in the huge Avarehouses lo- 
cated along the river front were many thousand bales of 
Confederate cotton, pledged as security for their bonds 
sold in, foreign countries, which had been captured with 
the city. Many deals — not kept in the records — were 
made by skippers and soldiers, whereby a $600 bale of 
cotton was exchanged for a $4 barrel of Portland ale. 
In modem trade parlance, Sherman's men were long on 
cotton and short on Christmas supplies. 

On December 26th, orders were issued directing that 
the troops be thoroughly refitted with clothing, arms, and 
ammunition; inaugurating daily drills, giiardmounting, 
parades, and Sunday inspections; instituting schools of 
instruction for commissioned and non-commissioned 
officers in each regiment and battery; and establishing 
camp guards and a system of passes, which required 
soldiers visiting the city to be clean and neat in appear- 
ance — wearing waist-belts and side-anus. 

The Sixth Iowa marched into the city of Savannah with 
one field officer, 3 staff officers, 8 company officers, and 175 
non-commissioned officers and privates, present for duty. 
Promotions in the regiment were announced to date from 
December 30, 1864, and January 1, 1865, as follows : Ma- 



390 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

jor William H. Clune, to be Lieutenant-Colonel; Captain 
David J. McCoy — Company B, to be Major; Assistant- 
Surgeon William S. Lambert, to be Major and Chief Sur- 
geon of the regiment; Quartermaster-Sergeant Orin P. 
Stafford, to be First-Lieutenant and Quartermaster; 
Company A, First-Lieutenant Eodney F. Barker, to be 
Captain, and First-Sergeant Albin L. Ingram, to be First- 
Lieutenant; Company B, First-Sergeant Orin S. Rarick, 
to be Captain, and Sergeant James E. Thomas, to be 
First-Lieutenant; Company C, Third-Sergeant Stephen 
J. Gahagan, of Company E, to be Captain ; Company E, 
First-Lieutenant Eobert A. Willis, to be Captain, and 
First-Sergeant John H. Key, to be First-Lieutenant; 
Company H, First-Sergeant James Swan, to be Captain ; 
Company I, Third-Sergeant James Turner, to be Cap- 
tain, and First-Sergeant Zachariah Thomas, to be First- 
Lieutenant; Company K, Second-Sergeant Sebastian L. 
Blodgett, to be Captain. ^° 

Other officers present were: Adjutant Andrew T. 
Samson; Captain William H. Alexander, Company D; 
Captain Edwin R. Kennedy and First-Lieutenant Francis 
M. Kyte, Company F. Officers absent were: First- 
Lieutenant Eugene C. Haynes, Company D, wounded; 
First-Lieutenant Edward Gr. Fracker, Company G, sick ; ^^ 
Second-Lieutenant John L. Cook, Company K, prisoner 
since May, 1863. 

Filling the vacancies made in the non-commissioned 
staffs of the companies and the regiment furnished the 

30 The author, Henry H. Wright, was also commissioned a second 
Lieutenant in Company D, January 1, 1865. — Report of the Adjutant 
General of Iowa, 1866-1867, Vol. I, p. 77. 

31 The Adjutant General's report states that Lieutenant Fracker re- 
signed November 29, 1864. — Report of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 
1866-1867, Vol. I, p. 78. 



THE MAKCH TO THE SEA 391 

opportunity to advance many worthy soldiers who had 
served faithfully and efficiently, participating in all the 
campaigns and battles with the regiment, from the be- 
ginning of the war. Notable among those promoted, 
were the following: Sergeant Moses T. Johnson, Com- 
pany F, to be regimental quartermaster-sergeant; Ser- 
geant William R. Chatten, Company A, to be first-ser- 
geant; Sergeant Harvey Ford, Company B, to be first- 
sergeant; Sergeant Milton H. Ross, Company C, to be 
first-sergeant; Sergeant George S. Richardson, Company 
G, to be first-sergeant; Sergeant 0. C. Snyder, Company 
H, to be first-sergeant; Sergeant Harvey B. Linton, Com- 
pany I, to be first-sergeant, and Sergeant Charles Hussey, 
Company K, to be first-sergeant. 

These promotions although to subordinate positions, 
had been fairly won while serving among gallant soldiers 
and were, therefore, highly prized. All of those pro- 
moted were in every way fully qualified to command 
companies, and some of them to command regiments. 



XXIV 

THE ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 

Nearly one million soldiers composed the Union armies 
on January 1, 1865. They were guarding and picketing 
along an almost continuous line fifteen hundred miles in 
length. They were guarding long lines of communica- 
tion, captured cities, to\vns, railroads, and fortified po- 
sitions ; and fighting battles with a brave and hardy peo- 
ple who were holding a countiy particularly well adapted 
for defense, because of its broken character, its numer- 
ous large rivers, and its narrow and almost impassable 
roads. But of these none had such thrilling experiences 
as those had by Sherman's army of 65,000 men while 
forcing their way for a distance of a thousand miles 
through the heai't of the Confederacy. 

From Savannah to Goldsborough Sherman marched his 
army in midwinter, a. distance of four hundred and fifty 
miles in fifty days, crossing five large navigable rivers, 
at any one of which a comparatively small force should 
have made the passage most difficult if not impossible. 
The country generally was in a primitive state of nature, 
with innumerable swamps and sluggish creeks, with none 
but simple dirt roads, nearly every mile of which had to 
be corduroyed. The enemy relied with pardonable con- 
fidence upon the impossibility of such an undertaking. 
General Hardee had reported to General Johnston that 
the swamps were flooded and impassable, at the very 
time the army was marching through them at the rate of 

392 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 393 

fifteen miles a day, corduroying nearly every foot of the 
way. 

While at Savannah at the beginning of the new year 
General Sherman consummated the plans and issued or- 
ders preparatory to entering upon the next stage of his 
famous campaigning, and every department of the army 
at once entered into active and zealous cooperation to put 
the troops and equipment in the most perfect readiness, 
when the word would be given to go forward again. 
The keynote of the campaign was sounded by General 
Sheraian, when he said: "The araiy mil cut a swath 
through the Carolinas fifty miles wide", which was the 
death-knell to the Confederacy. 

The organization of the anny remained substantially 
the same as it was from Atlanta to Savannah. It was 
composed of 188 regiments of infantry, 14 regiments of 
cavalry, and 17 batteiies of artillery, formed into 39 bri- 
gades of 3 to 7 regiments each, 14 divisions of 2 to 3 bri- 
gades each; 4 army corps of 3 to 4 di\dsions each, and 
two armies — the Army of the Tennessee and the Army 
of Georgia — of two army corps each. These armies 
were designated as the right and left mngs of the grand 
araiy. ^^ 

In the composition of the anny, troops were repre- 
sented who had fought at Bull Run, Fredericksburg, 
Gettysburg, and Lookout Mountain in the old 11th and 
12th army corps of the Army of the Potomac. The 14th 
Army Corps, organized as a part of the Army of the 

32 The oflScial records list two hundred, and fifty -nine regiments of 
infantry, eighteen regiments of eavah-y, and thirty-two batteries of artil- 
lery in Sherman 's army. These were formed into fifty-eight brigades, 
twenty divisions, six corps, and three armies. The Army of the Ohio was 
designated as the center. — War of the Eehellion: Official Becords, Series 
I, Vol. XLVII, Pt. 1, pp. 46-60. 



394 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Cumberland and coninianded by General George li. 
Thomas at the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga, 
was present. The 15th and 17th army corps which had 
been successively commanded by General Grant, General 
Sherman, and General McPherson at Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Missionary Ridge com- 
posed the Army of the Tennessee. All had been cement- 
ed into the one grand army during the four months of 
battles and campaigning in Northern Georgia for the 
capture of Atlanta. 

General John A. Logan arrived at Savannah by ocean 
steamer from the north, where he had gone at the close 
of the Atlanta campaign to aid in the political campaign 
then pending for the presidency, and was restored in 
command of the 15th Army Corps. On January 7th, the 
corps was again reviewed by General Sherman and Gen- 
eral Logan on the large common just outside of the city 
and adjacent to the camps. All four divisions and the 
artillery brigade, composing the corps, participated. 
The ceremony was witnessed by many hundreds of ofi&cers 
of high rank in the army and by thousands of soldiers and 
citizens. The command made a splendid appearance and 
was highly complimented by all. 

Pursuant to orders, the Army of the Tennessee com- 
menced the movement from Savannah to Beaufort, South 
Carolina, January 3rd, embarking on ocean transports at 
Fort Thunderbolt — the 17th Army Corps in advance. 
The Sixth Iowa, together with the rest of the First Di- 
vision, 15th Army Corps, broke camp at 9 a. m., January 
10th, and marched four miles to Fort Thunderbolt on 
the Wilmington River, the point for embarking for Beau- 
fort, where it camped for the night. The whole division 
remained in camp the next day with large details from 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 395 

the regiments working on the construction of two new 
landings, which were made to expedite the loading. 

The ocean steamers used for transporting the troops 
and wagon transportation of the army were of such 
character that it had been necessary to hoist each horse 
and mule over the side of the huge vessel by means of a 
sling and hoisting tackle and to take all the wagons apart 
before they could be loaded. The new landings erected 
obviated this necessity and the embarkment was greatly 
facilitated. 

A cold drizzling rain, which continued throughout the 
day, made the situation, without tents or shelter other 
than gum blankets [tarpaulins ?], most uncomfortable 
for all. Officers and enlisted men, in small squads and 
parties, descended the river in row boats and small sail 
boats, hired from local fishermen, to the oyster beds, 
where they secured great quantities of the luscious salt 
water bivalves. 

It was in the afternoon of January 12th, that the Sixth 
Iowa marched down to the levee to embark, but for some 
cause there was a delay until about 10 p. m., when the 
regiment boarded the steamer ' 'Louise", which was soon 
gliding down the river and out through Wassaw Sound 
onto the old ocean. 

The trip was pleasant and without special incident, ex- 
cept that it furnished the novelty of an ocean voyage for 
the troops and added another to their wide and varied 
campaigning experiences. January 13th, the steamer 
arrived at Beaufort, South Carolina, and was made fast 
to the dock before daylight. At an early hour the regi- 
ment disembarked and marched out into the town, where 
a halt was made in the streets and the men prepared 
breakfast. 



396 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The population of Beaufort was composed chiefly of 
amiy officers and their families, reciniiting agents for 
colored troops, treasury agents speculating in cotton, 
northern school teachers, church missionaries, and the 
negroes, while only a very few of the southern white in- 
habitants remained in the city. The Union forces had 
been in full possession of the town and Port Royal 
Island since the first of the war. New customs had been 
established in the schools, churches, and in the social 
life of the community conforming mth the changed con- 
dition and new ideas concerning the great hordes of 
freedmen gathered there. All of tliis was strikingly in 
contrast Avith the prevailing sentiment among the troops 
of Sherman's army. The colored people had been recog- 
nized throughout the western armies as the true and 
loyal friends of the Union soldier and his cause and had 
been kindly and generously treated about the camps, but 
not many had learned to meet them on terms of equality 
in all the public and social conditions of life. 

The new and radical customs and conditions found in 
the io\vn. at once engendered severe friction between the 
men and the colored people, causing considerable dis- 
turbance and some altercations. For a time serious pun- 
ishment w^as threatened for those who had assailed col- 
ored citizens for real or imaginary insults, but the good 
counsels of General Logan — prompted by his great love 
for his men — soon secured an amicable adjustment of 
the affair and the release of the men, who had been ar- 
rested and confined in the city prison. 

The First Division camped out three miles on the road 
leading to the Confederate fortified position at Pocotali- 
go, and just outside of the Union earthworks erected and 
defended by a regiment of colored troops. The camps 



■ 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 397 



were first pitched on low marshy ground, but after the 
whole surroundings had been flooded on account of the 
almost incessant rain, the camps were moved to higher 
ground in the same vicinity. The two weeks, during the 
rainy season^ in Januar>% 1865, spent in the vicinity of 
Beaufort, South Carolina, camped in the overflowed 
'marshes of the inhospitable region, will ever be remem- 
' bered and noted as the most disagreeable period of sold- 
iering experience. 

Before leaving Savannah, the conmiands had been re- 
Ueved of all men incapacitated for active field duty, no 
difference what had caused the disability. They had 
been left in corps hospitals vnih proper medical and 
nurse attendants. But it was again found necessary to 
make a culling out of a large number of sick, made so on 
account of the severity of the inclement weather and the 
bad location of the camps. These were sent to the hos- 
pitals at Beaufort and later were sent farther north on 
government vessels. 

The 17th Army Coi*ps, General Frank P. Blair com- 
manding, which had preceded the 15th Corps to Beau- 
fort, had moved out on January 13th, and had driven the 
enemy from Garden's Comers, Stoney Creek, and Po- 
cotaligo. All of these were thoroughly fortified posi- 
tions, which had defied all former expeditions made 
against them by the coast armies in the Department of 
the South. The Iowa Crocker Brigade led the advance 
of the corps that cleared the way, wading through the 
swamps waist deep. 

All possible preparation had been made for the ap- 
proaching campaign, and, on January 27th, camp was 
broken and the division marched westward, crossing 
Broad River on the pontoons at Port Royal Ferry. After 



398 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

marching 10 miles, the troops camped for the night at 
Garden's Comers. 

January 28th, the troops remained in camp all day. 
The weather was very cold ; ice formed on the water and 
it was the coldest day experienced during the winter. 
January 29th, the troops still remained in camp and a 
general inspection was held during the forenoon. Cap- 
tain AV. H. Alexander, Company D, returned to the Beau- 
fort hospital, on account of a crippled leg and Lieuten- 
ant Francis M. Kyte, Company F, was assigned to com- 
mand the company. January 30th, the division broke 
camp and marched at 7 a. m., passed through Pocotaligo 
and, after traveling 12 miles, camped at night near Mc- 
Phersonville. The fortifications at Pocotaligo were of 
great strength and, properly manned, were capable of 
resisting almost any force making a direct attack. 

The right wing of the army was now assembled in the 
vicinity of McPhersonville, 30 miles out from Beaufort 
and 50 miles north of Savannah. The left wing was 
crossing the Savannah River on pontoon bridges at Sis- 
ter's Ferry, 40 miles above the city of Savannah, en route 
to unite the columns on the line of the South Carolina 
Railroad, connecting Charleston with Augusta, Georgia. 

On the 1st day of February, 1865, the great campaign 
through the Carolina s was begun. The column of the 
15th Corps moved out at 7 a. m., the Second Brigade lead- 
ing the advance of the infantry column, which was pre- 
ceded by the 7th Illinois and the 29th Missouri regiments 
of mounted infantry. The road traveled on crossed num- 
erous streams and swamps, and was blocked with felled 
trees, rail barricades and defended at all convenient van- 
tage points by the enemy's cavalry dismounted. These 
were pushed back from all their positions, after strong 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 399 

resistance, by the mounted infantry supported by the 
Second Brigade. This proved to be a day of incessant 
skirmishing and at several of the stands made by the 
enemy, the whole advance forces were engaged. The 
First Division camped for the night in the pine woods, 
near Whippy^ Swamp Post Office, and built breastworks 
covering the advance position of the corps column. The 
distance marched during the day was 15 miles. 

The troops bivouacked there in the Carolina swamp 
with full knowledge that the army had again cut loose 
from communications and had entered upon another haz- 
ardous campaign in the very heart of the enemy's coun- 
try. Many predictions were indulged in, while gathered 
around the pine-knot campfires, as to the destination of 
the expedition and the probable chances of all getting 
through safely. No one below the rank of an army com- 
mander had knowledge of the plans for the campaign and 
the probable destination of the army, but, such was the 
implicit confidence had in the commander, that none 
doubted ultimate success. The initial movements of all 
columns pointed to the center and heart of the State of 
South Carohna, which afforded the long sought oppor- 
tunity to make the people of that State — the first to raise 
the secession flag — feel the cruel severities of the war. 

All the orders and regulations for the march from At- 
lanta to Savannah were adopted for the new campaign. 
February 2nd, the First Division having held the advance 
of the corps column the first day and the Second Bri- 
gade, the advance in the division column, according to the 
rules for alternating the division, took its place as the 
rear of the coi^ps column, and the brigade became the 
rear guard for the column. 

The troops and trains of the corps commenced moving 



400 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

out on the roads leading to the front at an early hour and' 
continued passing through the camp of the brigade until' 
4 p. m., when the last man and the last team had gone 
forward. This gave the men an opportunity to \iew the 
magnitude of an army corps and its equipment for field 
service. The Second Brigade took up the line of march I 
as rear guard and continued it by short marches and long ' 
halts, caused by the slow progress made by the wagon 
trains, until a late hour, when a halt was made for the 
night. The distance for the day was 6 miles. 

February 3rd, the rain, which had poured down during i 
the night, filling the creeks and swamps to overflowing, . 
continued with a slow drizzling rain throughout the day. 
The advance of the column was contested at the crossings 
of all the streams and swamps, but the enemy was usual- 
ly driven away by the mounted infantry, which con- 
tinued to hold the advance. The First Division camped 
for the night, holding a position at the bridge over Jack- 
son's Creek. The distance marched during the day was 
15 miles. 

To effectually cut the fifty mile swath contemplated 
and to facilitate the marching of the columns, the four 
army corps marched on parallel roads all converging 
toward the interior of the State to points on the line of 
the Charleston and Augusta Railroad, which was desig- 
nated as the base for the first stage of the campaign. 

The whole face of the country was intersected with in- 
numerable streams spreading over a wide extent of bot- 
tom and flowing in sluggish channels, with intervening 
swamps and marshes impracticable for roads, except by 
continuous corduroy and bridging. To build the roads 
and extricate the wagons and artillery from the mire, 
heavy details of men were made each day. These were 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 401 

] wading through water and mud from morning until night, 
while the marching columns were almost constantly in 

I water, often knee deep and sometimes waist deep. 

; Februarj^ 4th, at 6 a. m., the First Division marched 

I forward to the vicinity of Augley's Post Office and on to 
Buford's bridge on the Big Salkehatchie Kiver, a dis- 

I tance of 10 miles. Here the formidable works of the 
enemy were found abandoned, the bridge over the river 
destroyed, and all small bridges over lagoons broken 
down. After a hot contest and much wading in the water 
and mud, the 17th Army Corps effected a crossing and 
flanked the enemy out of all his strongly fortified posi- 
tions defending the line of the Salkehatchie River. The 
strong works abandoned at Buford's bridge were occu- 
pied by the advance troops of the First Division, without 
firing a shot. The Sixth Iowa went on picket guard at 
sundown. 

On February 5th, the column advanced 5 miles and 
camped. The troops threw up light earthworks and the 
advance pickets kept up a scattering fire during the day. 
Orders were issued limiting foraging details to the small- 
est number of men necessary for the sendee. Those 
detailed were to be selected with special reference to their 
fitness for the hazardous duty, and the officers in com- 
mand were to be held responsible for the conduct of the 
men. The vigilance of the enemy's cavalry had caused 
several parties of irregular foragers to come to grief, 
with several casualties in killed and wounded. A few 
men captured had been roughly treated on account of 
some acts of marauding committed by stragglers in the 
country. 

February 6th, the Third Division, General John E. 
Smith commanding, took the advance with the mounted 



402 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

infantiy at the head of the column. Skirmishing com- 
menced at once, and, at the Little Salkehatchie River, the 
enemy was found in considerable force, with the bridge 
destroyed and the enemy in position on the opposite side 
of the river, prepared to resist the crossing. The mount- 
ed infantry was quickly disposed up and down the river 
to search for fords and available crossings, while the 
brigades of the Third Division were placed in position 
for a direct front attack. The First Division, General 
Charles R. Woods commanding, moved up in support, the 
troops were massed by brigades in colunm of regiments 
and the wagon trains corralled in the open fields just out 
of range of the brisk fire opened by the enemy Avith small 
arms and artillery. 

The enemy's position was especially strong, being cov- 
ered along the entire front by the stream, bordered with 
tangled swamps on the side approached. At the command 
to advance, the lines went forward in gallant manner, 
through mud and water in the face of the enemy's galling 
fire, crossed the stream and completely routed them from 
their fortifications, all along the river. The bridges were 
soon rebuilt and the whole corps, including the wagon 
trains, crossed over and went into camp during the after- 
noon around Springtown Meeting House. The distance 
for the day was 10 miles. 

The enemy made some further show of resistance dur- 
ing the day in the open fields beyond the camps, but was 
quickly driven away by the advance skirmishers. The 
night set in with rain, which continued with great sever- 
ity throughout the night, flooding all the low lands. The 
great discomfort caused, to the individual soldier, by the 
incessant do\vnpour of rain only marked the ratio of 
grief throughout the army. 

February 7th, the advance on the South Carolina Rail- 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 403 

road was commenced at 6 a. m. The First and Second 
divisions, in that order, in stripped fighting trim, unin- 
cumbered with trains, except ordnance wagons and am- 
bulances, took the advance, while the Third Division was 
assigned to guard the trains for the whole corps. The 
Second Brigade was again in the advance of the column. 
On the near approach to the railroad, the 46th Ohio, 97th 
Indiana, and the 103rd Illinois regiments, forming the 
advancing line of battle supported by the rest of the bri- 
gade, became sharply engaged with the enemy's cavalrj'' 
forces at Midway Station. The crack of the Spencer and 
Springfield rifles soon sent the enemy fleeing north to the 
swamps of the Edisto River. 

By 12 noon, two brigades were engaged at tearing up 
the railroad track, piling up the ties and rails prepara- 
tory to burning them and tmsting the rails. The First 
Division camped two miles north of the railroad and 
threw up a line of works covering the approach by the 
Cannon's bridge road. The Second Division covered 
approaches toward Orangeburg, while the Third Divi- 
sion was south of the railroad, guarding the trains from 
that direction. Large details from all the commands 
were engaged at destroying the railroad. 

February 8th, all of the commands remained in camp, 
the weather being clear and pleasant. The foragers came 
in well laden so that all were furnished with plenty to 
eat. The 15th and 17th corps were still engaged at de- 
stroying the railroads — the 17th east to the Edisto Riv- 
er and the 15th w^est to Blackville — a distance of 20 
miles. The left wing of the army extended along the 
railroad from Blackville west to Windsor and effectually 
destroyed the track. Occupying the line of the railroad 
completed the first stage of the campaign. 

On February 9th, the First Division marched west 

27 



404 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

along the railroad, ten miles, to Graham's Station and 
camped for the remainder of the day and night. Heavy 
artillery firing was heard in the direction of the Edisto 
River, where the Second Division had gone to effect a 
crossing. 

February 10th, the Second Brigade was engaged all 
day at tearing up and burning the railroad track. The 
manner of destroying railroad track is described thus: 
a line of men is placed along the track extending for a 
mile or two, and, when the command is given, the men 
seize the end of the ties and turn them over like prairie 
sod. The process of turning over the track is followed 
by loud cheering of the men until the sound dies away in 
the far distance. With the aid of many hands the ties 
are hastily pried loose from the iron rails, placed in 
huge piles with the rails balanced across the top, fires 
kindled under them, the rails heated red hot in the middle 
and wrapped around trees, where they cooled and were 
ruined forever as railroad iron. 

The labor of destroying railroad tracks and building 
corduroy roads through the swamps was the most dis- 
agreeable and exacting duty the men were required to 
perform on the campaign. Never did the men of the 
Second Brigade lie down at night, on mother earth, with 
such tired bodies as they did at Graham's Station, after 
the destruction of the South Carolina Railroad. 

During the morning of the 11th, all the columns 
marched north to the crossings on the South Edisto Riv- 
er, the Third Division leading the 15th Corps column, 
followed by the First Division. The river was crossed 
at Holman's bridge on the pontoons laid by the Second 
Division, which had preceded the movement and had 
crossed the day before. The advance on Columbia, the 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 405 

capital of the State, was now fairly inaugurated as the 
second stage of the campaign. 

The Fourth Division of the 15th Army Corps had re- 
mained at the city of Savannah until January 27th, when 
it marched forty miles up to Sister's Ferry and crossed 
the Savannah Kiver on the pontoons, along with the 
troops of the left wing of the army. General John M. 
Corse, commanding the division, found the wagon roads 
leading through the great swamps almost impassable, 
but with his characteristic energy all obstacles were over- 
come and the division rejoined the corps on the Edisto 
in the vicinity of Poplar Springs. Here all four divi- 
sions were again camped in position supporting the 17th 
Corps, then advancing on Orangeburg. The Second Bri- 
gade was camped in the pine woods on the Orangeburg 
road, where they received mail brought from Savannah 
by the Fourth Division. 

On February 12th, the command marched two miles 
and halted until midnight, then crossed the North Edisto 
River on the pontoons, marched out one mile and camped 
for the remainder of the night with the Sixth Iowa on 
picket guard. 

The most of the white inhabitants of the country passed 
through had taken their goods and chattels far into the 
great swamps for better security against pillaging. This 
was a most fatal error for it furnished the best oppor- 
tunity for unauthorized marauding parties to rob and 
destroy, without fear of detection. 

For the next two days, the 15th Corps marched in two 
columns, the Second and Third divisions on the east side 
of Caw Caw Swamp and the First and Fourth divisions 
on the west side, on dim plantation roads through dense 
pine forests, where the great turpentine and resin camps 



406 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and factories are located. The flowing pine sap from 
tlie scarified trees had been set on fire and the whole ] 
woods had become a terrific conflagration, where men and ! 
animals were almost stifled by the fierce heat and suffo- 
cating smoke. 

At the close of the second day, the First Division 
emerged from the pine woods and dismal swamps into the i 
high country in the brakes of the Congaree River, crossed 
Sandy Run, camped in line of battle formed across the , 
main Orangeburg and Columbia wagon road, near Wolf 's 
plantation, and fortified the position. The advance 
guard had skirmished with the enemy during the evening, , 
and, in the night, their cavalry made a dash on the out- 
posts, capturing Lieutenant David Rorick, 31st Iowa, 
picket officer, and three of his men. In the early part of 
the evening a hard rain set in and continued throughout 
the night. 

February 15th, the First Division, General Charles R. 
Woods commanding, broke camp at daylight and led the < 
15th Corps column on the Columbia road. The Second . 
Brigade, Colonel Robert F. Catterson, 97th Indiana, com- ' 
manding, had the advance, with the 40th Illinois deployed 
as advance skirmishers. The enemy made stubborn re- 
sistance and the skirmishers were soon hotly engaged. 
Yelling and firing as they advanced, they drove the 
enemy's cavalry forces out of a number of well construct- 
ed rail barricades. The regiments of the Second Bri- 
gade, in light marching order, kept close up to the ad- 
vance skirmishers and at about every mile the enemy was 
found well posted in a barricade, when the brigade would 
be formed in line of battle and advance under sharp firing 
until the force was routed and sent scampering back to 
the next fortified position. ^i 



ADVANCE ON COLUMBIA 407 

After driving them in that manner for five or six miles 
they were found posted at Little Congaree Creek in 
strong earthworks, manned by infantry and artillery. 
The divisions of the 15th Army Corps were rapidly 
brought forward and formed in battle array. The Sec- 
ond and Third brigades of the First Division, in line of 
battle, stretched across the Columbia road facing the 
works at the bridge, and the First Brigade closed up as a 
reserve line. Gienerals Sherman, Howard, Logan, Woods, 
Hazen, Smith, and Corse, all appeared on the field at- 
tended by a full complement of staff officers and mounted 
escorts, making a brilliant and imposing military dis- 
play. 

The Second Brigade was posted to the right of the 
road in the Congaree bottom, extending to the river. 
The bottom had recently been overflowed and was then 
covered with thin slush and slimy mud, shoemouth deep. 
The situation was a very trying one for the men, when the 
enemy opened a brisk fire mth his artillery, because it 
was impracticable to lie down in the sea of mud to better 
avoid the screeching shot and shell that were flying un- 
comfortably close over their heads. The troops bravely 
withstood the ordeal until a battery was brought forward 
and opened fire, which drew the fire of the enemy's guns 
and reheved the men in the lines, whether it did the enemy 
any damage or not. 

The dispositions having all been made and the troops 
eager for the fray, the bugles sounded the charge and 
with a battle yell the lines advanced in gallant style, the 
Sixth Iowa leading in the brigade line along the wagon 
road directly in front of the bridge, over which the enemy 
was driven in great haste. The bridge had been pre- 
viously covered with loose cotton saturated with turpen- 



4C8 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

tine, which was fired by the enemy in his retreat. The 
men of the Sixth Iowa, together with others, removed the 
burning cotton and quickly quenched the blazing bridge 
with water carried in their hats from the creek, spanned 
by it. 

The First Division was at once marched across the 
creek on the bridge and formed in line of battle in a large 
cotton plantation in plain view of the city of Columbia, 
the capital of South Carolina. The enemy's forces had 
retreated to the farther side of the plantation where they 
were formed in battle array, about a mile away. The 
fighting by the skirmishers was spirited, and the battle 
was greatly accelerated by a sharp artillery duel partici- 
pated in by several batteries on each side. The rest of 
the corps were brought forward and formed in line of 
battle, and the whole line moved forward about a mile 
and fortified its position. The spectacle of an army 
coi'ps of 15,000 troops, all in full battle array, moving 
over the open plantations with flags and banners waving, 
together with the crackling fire of small arms and the 
roar of artillery, all combined to make a scene of militaiy 
splendor, inspiring and grand to behold. 

At dark the kindled camp fires disclosed the position 
and the enemy opened fire with his heavy guns located in 
batteries on the opposite side of the river. The fire con- 
tinued at intervals of five minutes throughout the night, 
and the hugh shells dropping in the camps caused some 
loss of life as well as a sleepless night. The men of the 
6th Iowa were disturbed by several of the shells falling 
in their midst, but, fortunately, without injury to anyone. 



XXV 

THE MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 

Febniary 16th, at daylight, the pickets advanced and 
found that the enemy had retreated across the Congaree 
River to the city of Columbia. The whole corps was 
then advanced up the south bank of the river to a point 
on the State road opposite the center of the city where 
they stacked arms. With special pennission from Gen- 
eral Sherman, Captain De Gress placed a section of his 
Parrott guns in position on the bank of the Congaree 
River at the south end of the burned wagon bridge and 
opened fire on the city, three shots striking the new State 
House building and one bursting in the railroad depot, 
causing straggling soldiers and a large number of citizens 
to flee from it in gTeat confusion. 

Volunteer details from the Sixth Iowa and other regi- 
ments were engaged as skirmishers sharpshooting at the 
enemy, in the fortifications on the opposite side of the 
river. Citizens and soldiers, who attempted to pass 
through the streets of the city, were kept dodging for 
their lives. 

The Second Di\'ision, General Hazen commanding, 
marched up to the Saluda Factor>% on the Saluda River, 
four miles above the city and laid the pontoons. Here 
the whole coi-ps crossed over during the afternoon and 
evening, and camped on the peninsula between the Salu- 
da and Broad rivers — some of the troops not getting 
into camp until late in the night. 

Februaiy 17th, the First Division advanced to cross 

409 



410 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Broad Eiver, the north fork of the Congaree, which is 
formed by the junction of the Saluda and Broad rivers 
just above the city. Here the fine wagon bridge span- 
ning the Broad River had been burned and destroyed by 
the enemy. 

The Third (Iowa) Brigade, Colonel George A. Stone 
commanding, was ferried over Broad River by means 
of the pontoon boats, and gallantly drove the enemy from 
a range of hills on the road leading into Columbia. The 
Sixth Iowa assisted the engineers and pontooniers in lay- 
ing the pontoons in the river, which was done under a 
brisk fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, posted on the 
opposite bluffs. Eight pieces of artillery were placed in 
position and opened fire on the forces causing the an- 
noyance, which sent them whirling over the hills in the 
direction of Columbia, four miles below, closely followed 
by the Iowa Brigade. 

The Mayor, attended by a small delegation of promi- 
nent citizens, met the advancing troops a short distance 
outside of the limits and made formal surrender to Colo- 
nel Stone, who at once advanced his brigade into and 
took full possession of the city, without meeting any 
further organized resistance. The Second and First bri- 
gades — in that order — crossed over Broad River on the 
completed pontoon bridge and immediately followed after 
the Iowa Brigade. IMarching in column with ranks well 
closed up, flags waving and bands playing, they entered 
the city in good order and fine style at about 12 o'clock 
noon. 

The bugles sounded the halt just as the head of the 
column reached the \dcinity of the old State House, when 
Colonel Robert F. Catterson gave the order and the 
Second Brigade stacked arms in the principal street lead- 



MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 411 

ing through the city — to remain for twenty minutes. 
The men soon began to slip away from the line of guns 
and scatter about through the streets and into the stores 
and shops. Citizens, soldiers, and negroes — men, wom- 
en, and children — had congregated in great swarms, and 
much excitement and confusion prevailed. 

In some of the cellars entered there were found barrels 
of liquor, which were rolled into the street and the heads 
knocked in. Soldiers and citizens then helped them- 
selves, dipping into the open barrels mth cups, canteens, 
and, in some instances, carrying it away by the bucketful. 
Tobacco and provisions were also seized and carried away 
in great quantities. After considerable time had been 
thus spent in riotous drinking and promiscuous plun- 
dering, the bugles sounded attention, the men fell in at 
their guns in the stacks and the march was continued to 
the opposite side of the city, beyond the Columbia and 
South Carolina Railroad tracks, where the First and 
Second Brigades were placed in camp and threw up light 
breastworks, the Sixth Iowa being posted as picket guard 
for the division and going on duty at sundown. 

The troops of the 15th Corps continued to arrive and 
pass through the city during the afternoon, after which 
they went into the camps that circled around the out- 
skirts of the city. Straggling soldiers, singly and in 
squads, from the adjacent camps, continued to congre- 
gate in town, where all joined indiscriminately in the gen- 
eral confusion, wanton plunder, and pillage of the strick- 
en city and helpless people. The scene as witnessed at 
sundown beggared description, for men, women, and 
children, white and black, soldiers and citizens, many of 
whom were crazed with drink, were all rushing frantically 
and aimlessly through the streets, shouting and yelling 



412 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

like mad people. The efforts of Colonel Stone, with his 
Iowa Brigade as provost guards in the city, to preserve 
order and protect persons and property, seemed to be en- 
tirely futile. 

Large quantities of baled cotton had been taken from 
the warehouses and piled in the middle of the street by 
the Confederates preparatory to destroying it before 
surrendering the city but probably, on account of the fu- 
rious gale prevailing at the time it had not been fired by 
the enemy as contemplated. The bands on many of the 
bales had been broken so that the loose cotton had been 
scattered everywhere by the high wind, filling every nook' 
and comer about the streets and buildings. Even the 
large ornamental trees, which made the streets of the 
city noted for their beauty, were made white with the in- 
flammable material. In the early part of the evening the 
cotton was ignited and almost instantly a conflagration 
spread through the streets and over the city, raging like 
a prairie fire, consuming buildings and whole blocks in 
the heart of the city, creating one vast conflagration and 
sweeping to destruction millions of dollars represented 
in the many palatial homes, costly churches, public build- 
ings, and other property which were swallowed up in the 
awful holocaust. 

The Iowa Brigade was relieved at night by the First 
Brigade, Brigadier-General William B. Woods command- 
ing, who, heartily aided by his officers and men, used all 
the facilities at hand and adopted every practicable meas- 
ure suggested to quench the fire and restore order. But, 
owing to the fact that there was no effective fire depart- 
ment or water system in the city, and since the to"wn was 
crowded Avith a raging mob of straggling soldiers and 
homeless citizens, who were not disposed to have the 



MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 413 

R scene close until the material was exhausted, it was im- 
possible to arrest the flames. About half of the beautiful 
capital city, including the main business portion, was 
completely destroyed and lay a smouldering ruin. 

Many of the conunanding generals and other officers of 
' the army, including Sherman, Howard, Logan, Charles 
R. Woods, William B. Woods, Colonel George A. Stone 
and Colonel Robert F. Catterson, were present in the 
city using their personal exertions to quell the disorderly 
rioting and stay the conflagration. It was due to their 
personal efforts that a portion of the city was preserved 
from the devouring flames and order finally restored. 

Late in the night, Colonel John M. Oliver's Third Bri- 
gade of General William B, Hazen's Second Division 
was called out and added to General Woods' forces on 
duty in the city. It was they who succeeded in staying 
the flames and restoring order. 

The 17th Army Corps had followed the 15th Corps 
across the Saluda and Broad rivers on the pontoons, had 
marched around north of Columbia and had camped sev- 
eral miles out northeast of the city. All of the 15th 
Corps passed through the city and camped east and south- 
east of the city limits. The left wing of the army, com- 
posed of the 14th and 20th coi-ps with General Slocum 
commanding, crossed the Saluda River at Mount Zion 
Church, nine miles above Columbia and passed west of 
the city en route to Winnsborough. General Kilpatrick's 
cavalry division had covered the left wing of the army 
since leaving the Savannah River. A successful battle 
was fought mth the enemy's forces at Aiken, South Car- 
olina, near the city of Augusta, Georgia, and then the 
cavalry followed in the wake of the two corps, crossing 
the Saluda at Mount Zion Church. The concentration of 



414 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the army in and about Columbia terminated the second 
stage of the campaign, mth all the army then engaged at 
destroying the railroads in Central South Carolina. On 
February 18th, at sundown, the Sixth Iowa was relieved 
from picket guard and returned to its position in the 
brigade line of trenches. 

Investigation showed that the great conflagration and 
carnival of rioting and pillage in the city of Columbia by 
the army was due entirely to the finding of large quan- 
tities of liquor stored in the cellars of the business build- 
ings and blocks, which had been seized upon by the troops, 
and, in the general excitement and rejoicing of the move- 
ment, had been thoughtlessly and inconsiderately con- 
sumed by many of the men until they were crazy drunk. 
In that delirious condition they were beyond the control 
of their commanding officers, of high or low rank. 

That humane and valorous manhood that had been de- 
veloped in the soldier, was, for the time being, dethroned 
by the evil effects of the liquor. The splendid discipline 
so rigidly maintained throughout the rank and file of the 
army, which had preserved the city and protected the 
people of Savannah and had made it possible to overcome 
other seemingly insurmountable obstacles during their 
long and toilsome campaigns, was viciously and reck- 
lessly destroyed at Columbia. 

It is well to know that not all of the men in the com- 
mands, that entered the city, were engaged in the shame- 
ful and disgraceful scenes that occurred on that fatal 
night. Probably not more than one out of ten of the men 
who passed through the city, drank to excess of the liquor 
or had aught to do with the general hilarity occasioned. 
The participants were made up of stragglers from all the 
commands in and close about the city. Not a member 



MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 415 

of the Sixth Iowa was injured or arrested for disorderly 
conduct during the stay of the command at Columbia. 

The whole surrounding country was lighted up by the 
awful conflagration and the destruction of property was 
immense. Business blocks, churches, dwellings, old co- 
lonial mansions, and the old capitol building were all 
swept away by the mighty and devouring element. Old 
men were appalled, women shrieked in their agony of 
despair, children were terrified and with piteous wailings 
clung to their helpless mothers. All congregated in the 
blackened and desolate streets, houseless and homeless. 
It was truly a sad sight and touched the generous sym- 
pathy of many kind-hearted soldiers, who rendered time- 
ly assistance to those in greatest distress and protected 
timid women from the rough and heedless jeers and 
gibes, by soldiers and citizens. 

The once proud and beautiful Columbia in ashes — 
'^how the mighty is fallen!" While joining in the early 
and consuming frenzy for war, the inhabitants of the city 
had imagined that their homes were secure from inva- 
sion, and in their fancied security they had been boastful 
of their superior prowess, high-sounding in their patriot- 
ism. But none are given to correctly predict or foretell 
the fortunes of war, and so it was that a proud and chival- 
ric people were now conquered and subjugated, and, in 
their awful distress, it seemed to them that it would be 
best to lie do^^^l and die — if it were possible. 

On Sunday, February 19th, the ceremony of general in- 
spection was had in all the regiments of the brigade, dur- 
ing the early morning and after that the rest of the day 
was given over to viewing the ruins about the city and 
watching the further destruction, under orders, of the 
public arsenals, machine shops, armory^, powder mills, 



416 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

railroad depot, and large storehouses, containing cap- 
tured ammunition and government machinery. 

A fatal accident occurred during the day, while the 
men of the Third Division were engaged at removing the 
captured ammunition from the arsenal to the river, there 
to be destroyed by throwing it in the water. A large 
percussion shell was carelessly thrown down the steep 
bank of the river and falling among others caused an 
explosion, killing one Captain and four men, and serious- 
ly injuring 21 others. One wagon and six mules were 
also burned up. 

Soldiers from the near camps voluntarily guarded and 
protected many of the suburban homes and their occu- 
pants, so that no damage was done to them in person or 
property. In the midst of the gloom and despair that 
had overtaken the most of the inhabitants there were 
held in some of the uninjured homes, informal gatherings, 
where pleasant — if not strictly friendly — acquaint- 
ances were made and a feast of song and music, social 
merriment and good dinners, presided over by staid mat- 
rons and their charming daughters, Avere indulged in and 
heartily enjoyed by the jolly young men, thus attracted 
from the ranks of the army. All barriers are easily 
swept away, when vigorous young manhood is subjected 
to the charming influence of young womanhood, and love 
quickly takes the citadel. In the ranks of the Sixth 
Iowa it was known that the bright spark had been kin- 
dled in two hearts; but later, in the crash of battle, a 
cruel bullet stilled the heart of one and the lady in the 
case probably never learned his fate. 

On Monday, February 20th, the last of the troops post- 
ed in and about the city commenced moving out on the 
roads leading north, and at noon the Second Brigade 



MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 417 

took up the line of march and was among the last of the 
troops to leave the city. 

As the column passed out beyond the city limits, many 
stopped to view the smouldering i-uins of the beautiful 
home and property of General Wade Hampton, that had 
been burned during the occupancy of the place. All 
officers and men who had a keen sense of appreciation for 
the charming loveliness and tropical splendor of the 
yards and grounds, forests of ornamental trees inter- 
woven with bowers of tmning vines and flowering shrub- 
bery and beautiful gardens were filled with a genuine 
sense of sadness and deep-felt regret at the wanton de- 
struction of such rare and beautiful property. The tall 
and specter-like columns alone were left standing, to 
mark the site of the most beautiful and wealthy home in 
the State of South Carolina. 

The command marched 18 miles and camped at one 
o'clock in the night, near Muddy Springs. February 
21st, the division marched 22 miles and camped for the 
night in a beautiful pine grove at Longtown. The char- 
acter of the country passed over after leaving Columbia 
was hilly and almost barren, and but little forage for 
men or animals could be procured. The four divisions 
of the 15th Corps were again all camped within easy sup- 
porting distance. 

February 22nd, the First Division moved out on the 
road and struck the Wateree River at Nichols ' Ferry and 
then continued the march up the river to Peay's Ferry. 
Demonstrations were made at both places by the advance 
g-uards, but no enemy was discovered at either place, and 
the pontoons were laid at the latter place for crossing, 
without interruption. General Hazen's Second Division 
was the first to cross over the river, where it took 



418 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

position covering the crossing. The rest of the corps 
went into camp ready to cross the next morning. The 
distance marched during the day was 10 miles. J 

On Februaiy 23rd, the First Division crossed the river 
at an early hour and passed out through the little village 
of Liberty Hill. The Wateree River is a beautiful 
stream mth bluffs on either side, straight and smooth 
running. The division marched 12 miles and camped 
at Flat Rock Church. It rained all night. 

February 24th, the First and Third divisions, forming : 
the left column of the 15th Corps, marched 10 miles 
through rain and mud and camped late in the evening : 
at West's Cross-Roads, where they built light breast- 
works. 

Generals Joseph E. Johnston, Beauregard, Hampton, 
Hardee, AVheeler, and many other distingniished officers 
of the Confederate army were active in concentrating all 
their available forces to oppose the advance of Sherman 's 
army. Consequently, the daily movements of the four 
Union army corps and the cavalry, after leaving Colum- 
bia, were timed and directed so that all the marching' 
columns would be in easy supporting distance at night, in 
case of serious attack on any part of the army. 

February 25th, the rain continued incessantly through 
out the night, so that a halt was made for the day. The 
Sixth Iowa was detailed to guard the division supply and 
ordnance trains, in the camp where they were parked 
for the night, while the division staff officers searched 
the wagons. Five tons of tobacco, quantities of cutlery 
and silverware, goods and clothing, and a general as- 
sortment of utensils and merchandise were found. All 
of it was piled in one grand heap and then a bonfire was 
made of it. No doubt most of it had been secured at 



MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 419 

Columbia. The rain continued to pour down through- 
out the day and at night, without ceasing. 

Before leaving Columbia a refugee train was organ- 
ized, composed of people living in Columbia and vicin- 
ity, who preferred to go north with the army, rather than 
to remain at their homes and risk starving. Each divis- 
ion of the corps was assigned an equal portion of the dis- 
tressed people. Accessions were made daily from the 
country, until they became burdensome and caused much 
delay and great fatigue in keeping their trains up with 
the marching columns and supplying them with sub- 
sistence. 

February 26th, the troops and trains moved out de- 
spite the mud and marched 12 miles to Tiller's bridge on 
Lynch 's Creek, which was so overflowed from the recent 
rains that it seemed like an almost insurmountable ob- 
stacle to the advance of the army. The men of the 
Fourth Division effected a crossing by wading to their 
ai-mpits through the overflowed bottoms, holding their 
guns and cartridge boxes above their heads. The enemy's 
cavalry was driven away from the opposite shore and the 
position quickly covered with breastworks to protect the 
crossing of the rest of the troops and the trains. 

On February 27th, most of the troops remained in 
camp waiting to cross the flooded stream, with heavy de- 
tails for corduroying and constructing temporary bridg- 
ing at the crossing. The enemy's cavalry in heavy force 
hovered on the flanks of the column, where they succeeded 
in killing, wounding, and capturing quite a number of 
the foragers, but fortunately, none of the Sixth Iowa was 
injured. The rain continued through the night again, 
making the situation just about as cheerless and uncom- 
fortable as it could possibly be. 



28 



420 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

February 28th, the troops throughout the army were 
mustered for pay during the day. In the midst of the 
rain and mud the Sixth Iowa went on picket guard at 
night. It continued to rain a steady downpour all day 
and far into the night, the high water in the streams 
washing the new bridges out as fast as they were built. 
The matter of forage for animals and subsistence for 
the troops, on account of the delay and the exhausted 
condition of the countrj^ became a very serious matter, 
the foragers having to go twenty-five miles to find sup- 
plies and then only in small quantity and of inferior 
quality. 

March 1, 1865, the regiment was relieved from guard 
duty early in the morning. The First Division crossed 
Lynch 's Creek during the afternoon, just below the junc- 
tion of the two forks, on the bridges and corduroy built 
by the pioneers and the large fatigue parties detailed 
from the commands. Camp was made two miles beyond 
the crossing; the distance marched during the day being 
only 4 miles. 

An almost ceaseless rainfall for more than a week, 
day and night, had filled all the creeks and streams to 
ovei-flowing and flooded the whole country, so that men 
and animals were all about drowned out. The extreme 
poverty of the surrounding country caused a scarcity 
of provisions and forage that threatened the army with 
pinching hunger. The men had marched many miles, 
building bridges and corduroy road over nearly every 
foot of the distance, in water and mud, drenched to the 
skin and chilled to the bone. When halted for the night 
camp, many were too much exhausted to prepare food 
had there been plenty, and had it been possible to build 
fires in the pouring rain. 

March 2nd, the division crossed Big Black Creek on 



MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 421 

the pontoons, marched 10 miles, and camped about the 
hamlet of New Market. On March 3rd, the division 
covered a distance of 22 miles and camped within six 
miles of Cheraw. The whole army had been concentrat- 
ed near Cheraw with scarcely any opposition by the 
enemy. This completed the third stage of the campaign. 

At an early hour the next morning, all four of the 15th 
Army Corps divisions marched to Cheraw, passed 
through the town during the day and camped across the 
plank- road one mile north — the 17th Army Corps hav- 
ing occupied the town the evening before. Sunday, 
March 5th, the troops of the 15th Corps remained idle 
in camp all day, with the weather bright and pleasant. 

Great interest was taken in the old toA\ai by large num- 
bers of men who recognized its historic importance, it 
being one of the oldest settled communities in the State, 
situated on the south bank of the Great Pee Dee River, 
150 miles inland from the city of Charleston. The wide 
and regular streets, all shaded with great spreading 
tropical trees, added much beauty and charm to the pa- 
triotic reverence had for the old and odd appearing 
buildings, many of them dating back to Revolutionary 
times. The old stone church, that had been used as a 
hospital during the war for independence and was now 
appropriated for the same purpose, excited the curios- 
ity of all and was viewed by a large number from the 
camps, during the day. 

Although General Hardee deemed it best to give up the 
place without a fight, it was found to be well fortified and 
the citizens remaining in town reported that he had had 
an army there of 20,000 troops and many guns, all post- 
ed in the strong works guarding the approaches to the 
town. 

In his hasty flight, the enemy had destroyed the splen- 



422 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

did wagon bridge spanning the river. On March 4th, the 
engineers and pioneers of the right wing of the army laid 
the pontoons in the Great Pee Dee River directly opposite 
the to\\^l, after which General J. A. Mower's division 
of the 17th Army Corps crossed to the north side and 
threw up works, making a strong bridgehead covering 
the pontoons. The enemy fired a few shots at the pon- 
toon bridge from a small armed vessel still plying up and 
down the river below the city, but it was soon driven 
away by sharpshooters posted along the shore. 

A detachment of thirty mounted foragers from each 
division of the 15th Corps, commanded by Major Samuel 
Mahon of the 7th Iowa Infantry, joined the 7th and 9th 
Illinois and the 29th Missouri Mounted Infantry in an 
expedition to Florence, South Carolina, for the purpose 
of destroying the railroad en route and releasing the 
Union prisoners confined there, but General M. C. But- 
ler's Confederate cavalry succeeded in holding the place. 

March 6th, the First Division broke camp and crossed 
the river on the pontoons, camping about Quick's Church, 
after a march of 5 miles. While the First Brigade and 
a large portion of the division train were halted on the ^ 
south bank waiting to cross the river, a large quantity 
of captured powder and shells stored in a magazine was 
accidently exploded, causing a loss of one officer and three 
men killed and a large number of men wounded, many 
quite seriously. The mule teams were badly stampeded 
and much damage was done to the division transporta- 
tion. The report of the explosion was very loud and the 
ground shook for miles around, greatly alarming the citi- 
zens left in the town. 

The 15th, 17th, and 20th army corps all crossed the 
river on the pontoons at Cheraw, while the 14th Corps 



I 



I 



11 MARCH TO FAYETTEVILLE 423 

and the cavalry crossed on another bridge, farther up 
the river, laid at the North and South Carolina State 
line. All the grist-mills in the country, left standing by 
, the enemy, were put to grinding and a supply of meal was 
I issued to the army. All the columns were now directed 
, on Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the Cape Fear Eiver, 
as the next objective point in the course of the campaign. 
I March 7th, the division and the rest of the 15th Corps, 
marched ten miles and camped at Goodmn's Mill, the 
weather being very warm. The next morning the march 
was continued toward Laurel Hill, a distance of 18 miles. 
The First and Fourth divisions passed through the vil- 
lage of Springfield while the Second and Third divisions 
traveled on roads to the left of that place. At about the 
hour of noon a severe rainstorm set in and continued with- 
out intermission during the rest of the day and all night. 
The roads soon became a sea of mud and water, and al- 
most impassable for troops and trains. The delayed 
trains and the rear guard, after an all night struggle in 
the mud and rain, succeeded in reaching camp at daylight 
the next morning. The headquarters of General Sher- 
man, General Howard, and General Logan, were all es- 
tablished for the night with the 15th Corps columji at 
Laurel Hill. On March 9th, the First Division struggled 
all day to make six miles through a dismal swamp, in an 
incessant downpour of rain. 

Large working parties, made up of heavy details from 
all the regiments in the column, were engaged, day and 
night, in making corduroy roads through the swamps. 
Huge trees were felled in the woods, chopped into logs 
twelve to fifteen feet in length, carried by the men, and 
placed in position on the muddy road, where they were 
firmly held in place by long skids stretched along either 



424 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY i 

side of the track, making a roadbed of solid timber, which 
bore up the artillery and the immense wagon trains for 
the whole distance traveled over in a day. 

The fatiguing marches for the last two days had been 
more distressing than the experience had at Lynch 
Creek, if that could be possible. The 15th Corps crossed 
the Lumber Eiver, March 10th, on pontoons laid in the 
river where Gilchrist's bridge had been destroyed by the 
enemy, marched 8 miles and halted for camp at 12 o'clock 
in the night. The whole surrounding country was one 
great quagmire of mud and water. 

On March 11th, the day broke bright and clear. The 
corps made 10 miles and camped on Eockfish Creek, 
near the big factory. The roads were still impassable 
until nearly every foot of the distance had been cordu- 
royed, causing great fatigue and much discomfort 
throughout the whole command. 

March 12th, the weather continued pleasant and the 
15th Corps crossed Eockfish Creek on the pontoon, laid 
at the factory, marched 14 miles and camped in the vi- 
cinity of Fayetteville, which had been captured and oc- 
cupied the day before by the 14th Corps, without serious 
opposition from the enemy. The marches had been so 
timed and directed that each corps was accorded the 
privilege of first occupying some one or more of the 
cities and towns surrendered en route. 



XXVI 

FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOEOUGH 

The troops and trains of the 15th Corps remained in 
their camps, on the 13th of March, in the same order and 
positions they had occupied for the night. The site was 
a range of low bluffs bordering along the south bank of 
the Cape Fear River, a few miles below and in plain 
view of Fayetteville. It was a picturesque place and in- 
teresting, as being the end of the fourth stage of the cam- 
paign, so successfully accomplished. A little steam 
craft, engaged in the United States naval service along 
the Atlantic coast, appeared in the river bringing the 
news of the capture of Fort Fisher and the city of Wil- 
mington, by the Union army and navy, at the mouth of 
the Cape Fear River, and also the first news from the 
north since leaving Beaufort. 

The Captain of the boat proposed taking back to the 
coast any mail matter that the troops might entrust to 
him, there to be sent north to their homes. When he 
saw the pile of letters on the deck of his vessel at even- 
ing, he was overwhelmed at the task he had assumed, but, 
jolly tar that he was, he said : ' ' Sherman's army has the 
right-of-way on land and the sailors join heartily in doing 
them a service on the sea". The letters all reached 
their destination, carrying glad news into many north- 
ern homes. 

The arsenal, and all public buildings and machinery 
connected with it, that could be of any future use to the 
enemy, were systematically destroyed under the direc- 

425 



C!" 



426 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

tion of the chief engineer of the amiy. Fayetteville, 
at the time, was an old style southern town, most of the 
buildings were of wood and were dilapidated and ugly. 
The court house was the only respectable appearing pub- 
lic or business building in the place. The 14th Corps 
occupied the town and furnished the provost guard; all 
property, and citizens remaining in the city were safely 
protected by the troops. 

During the stay of the army, other steamers followed 
the little naval cutter up the river, laden with sugar and 
coffee, and a veiy limited supply of army shoes, the one 
article of apparel most needed in the araiy. The contin- 
uous marching for two months through mud and water 
had destroyed the shoes throughout the army, so that 
some were barefoot and all were in a dilapidated condi- 
tion. 

All refugees, who had started with the army from 
Columbia and those accumulated along the route, were 
halted at the Cape Fear River. Those with the right 
wing numbered 4000 people. No lang-uage is adequate 
to describe the heart-rending scenes on that long march 
or the suffering endured by these poor people, white and 
black, who traveled mth Sherman's army through the 
swamps of the Carolinas, without shelter and almost 
without subsistence, except as furnished by the foragers 
from the scant supply found in the country. They were 
all sent to Wilmington on the coast, some down the river 
on returning steamers and others overland in wagons, 
escorted by troops going out of the service by reason of 
expiration of their term of enlistment. 

The pontoon bridges for crossing the river were the 
places chosen for making a thorough inspection of the 
army transportation and to get rid of all poor and use- 



FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOROUGH 427 

less animals. Thousands were seized, condemned, and 
shot. In one small field, among several along the banks 
of the river, there were lying one thousand dead mules 
and horses, which had been slaughtered by soldiers de- 
tailed for the purpose. 

The huge army wagons and heavy artillery carriages 
were crossed over the river by hand, fifty to sixty men 
being assigned to each wagon. These men let them down 
to the pontoons, crossed them over and pulled them up 
the steep and muddy bank on the opposite side by means 
of long ropes, thus demonstrating how the army accom- 
plished so many of the seemingly impossible problems 
of the campaign. The last of the army had crossed over 
the river, in the evening of March 15th, when the pon- 
toons were taken up and hurried to the front to be laid 
again in the next stream. 

The advance from the river was made by the left wing, 
the troops stripped for a fight, with the four divisions of 
the 15th Corps following next to the right, in the same 
order, with the 17th Corps, on the extreme right flank, 
guarding all the supply trains of the army. The enemy 
was found in strong force at all points disputing the 
advance with cavalry, infantry, and artillery. General 
Joseph E. Johnston was in supreme command, with 
Beauregard, Hampton, Wheeler, and many others of the 
eminent and capable officers of the Confederate army 
in command of the remnants of his old army from 
Georgia and Tennessee, intelligently and gallantly sup- 
porting him in their last heroic struggle. 

The Fourth, Second, and Third divisions of the 15th 
Coi-ps moved out in that order, on the 15th, to South 
River, where they met and engaged the enemy's cavalry. 
The First Division remained in camp on the north side 



428 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

01 the liver, engaged in organizing and dispatching the 
refugees by wagon trains and steamers, to "Wilmington. 
It poured down rain nearly all day and continued far into 
the night, causing the roads to be a perfect sea of mud 
and water again. 

Everj^thing being cleared at the river, the First Divi- 
sion broke camp at an early hour, on the morning of 
March 16th, and followed the other divisions of the corios. 
The marching was greatly impeded by continued rain 
during the day, filling all the creeks and swamps to over- 
flowing. 

A serious accident occurred while the colmnn was 
passing through the pine forest, where the tapped trees 
in a large resin camp were on fire, causing intense heat 
and blinding smoke. At the time the Sixth Iowa was 
passing through it, a huge pine tree, that had burned off 
at the stump, fell across the road and seriously wounded 
musicians Madison I. Swift, Company D, and George 
Gutches, Company F. It killed Major Ennis' old mare, 
then being led behind the regimental wagon which was 
also badly wrecked in the collision with the tree. The 
distance marched during the day was 15 miles. An- 
nouncement was made to the troops telling of the battle 
of Averasborough, fought by the 20th Corps. 

On March 17th, the division crossed South River on the 
pontoons, marched 10 miles and camped at Jenks' Cross- 
Roads. The experience had in passing through the 
swamps of South Carolina was repeated in the old north 
State, where the streams and swamps were impassable 
until they were bridged and corduroyed the entire dis- 
tance traveled over. March 18th, the column moved to 
the vicinity of Newton Grove Cross-Roads and camped 
before night. Here white oak timber was seen for the 



FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOROUGH 429 

first time in many days and was hailed by the troops 
with shouts of joy, for it had been anything to get out 
of the pine woods. 

March 19th, the First Division column was pressed 
rapidly to the front, passing through flooded swamps 
and the headwaters of Falling Creek, and meeting sharp 
resistance from the enemy's cavalry on the Cox's bridge 
road. Heavy cannonading was heard all during the day 
to the left, in the direction of the left wing column. The 
First and Fourth divisions camped for the night in 
battle position and threw up a line of substantial breast- 
works. The Sixth Iowa went on picket guard, with the 
enemj^ in plain view at rifle range. Picket firing was 
kept up until a late hour, mth several shells from the 
enemy's guns passing over the camps. 

At daybreak, March 20, 1865, all of the troops were 
busy wiping out guns, filling up cartridge boxes with 
fresh dry ammunition, and putting everything in order 
for the work of the day, for they knew, as well as did the 
general commanding, what was in store for them as the 
advance division of the corps column. The presence 
of Sherman, Howard, Logan, and Charles R. Woods on 
the field at that early hour, all mounted, and attended by 
their full complement of staff officers and escorts, giving 
orders and directing movements for the formations, in- 
dicated to a certainty that the First Division as the ad- 
vance of the corps column would be in the storm-center 
of the day's operations. The Second Brigade led the 
advance with the Sixth Iowa next to the advance regi- 
ment in the brigade. The Fourth Division, General 
Corse commanding, and the Third Division, General 
John E. Smith commanding, were formed to follow as re- 
serves, while the Second Division, General Hazen com- 



430 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

manding, had reported to General Slocum commanding 
the left wing, as reenforcements, during the fight the day 
before. 

The bugles sounded attention and the Second Brigade 
took its assigned position as the advance force on the 
Bentonville road. Captain Orlando J. Fast, serving as 
brigade Adjutant-General and always a familiar figure 
at the front, spoke encouragingly to the troops as they 
filed into position, saying, "Keep a stiff upper lip boys, 
and give them the best you have". The enemy in con- 
siderable force was encountered only a short distance 
out from the camps. The 97th Indiana was quickly de- 
ployed as advance skirmishers at right angles with the 
Bentonville road, its flanks extending well to the right 
and left, the road taken as the center guide with the 
100th Indiana and the 6th Iowa, closed up ready for 
action, supporting the line. 

The battle opened at once with a crackling fire of small 
arms, accompanied by the familiar shouting of the 97th, 
which was heartily responded to by the whole brigade. 
Glorious commencement! The enemy was routed from 
his first position and the column steadily advanced for 
three miles, the skirmishers driving the foe out of several 
strong positions, protected by rail barricades. A halt 
was called to let the column close up, at which time the 
97th Indiana was relieved and the 6th Iowa advanced as 
the skirmishers. 

General Sherman personally directed Colonel Catter- 
son, conunanding the brigade, to drive the enemy as fast 
as the men could travel. The dismounted cavalry force, 
disputing the advance, was routed out of six well con- 
structed barricades by the 6th Iowa and driven on the 
Bentonville road, a distance of five miles, to the junction 



FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOROUGH 431 

of the Smithfield road. Here the line halted, the am- 
munition being expended and the men exhausted. 

It was 11 a. m. when the 46th Ohio relieved the 6th 
Iowa and at once opened a furious fire with their breech- 
loading Spencer rifles. At the sound of the bugles, the 
46th Ohio charged with a yell, routed the enemy from a 
strong barricade and drove them back to their infantry 
lines, posted in heavy earthworks. General Woods im- 
mediately deployed the First Division in position, cover- 
ing the cross-roads leading to Bentonville and Smithfield, 
and built a line of works. The Fourth Division extended 
the line to the right, the Third Division formed a reserve 
line, while the left of the new line connected with that 
of the Second Division, then in position on the right of 
the 14th Corps, thus connecting the two corps lines and 
uniting the two mngs of the army, confronting the 
enemy's fortified position. 

A continuous roar of musketry firing was kept up dur- 
ing the afternoon and the regiments of the Second Bri- 
gade engaged in several gallant charges, forcing the 
enemy to abandon his advance rifle-pits, when the 
whole Union line was advanced and fortified. The 17th 
Corps went into position on the right of the 15th, with 
its three divisions. General Slocum, in command of the 
left wing of the army — 14th and 20th corps — had 
fought a hard battle, on the day before, with General 
Johnston's combined forces in that vicinity. General 
Sheraian and his army were again pitted against their 
old antagonist. General Joseph E. Johnston, with the 
remnant of his old army, posted behind strong parapets, 
fully as formidable and impregnable as their trenches 
in Georgia. 

After being relieved on the skirmish line the 6th Iowa 



432 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

was not again engaged during the day and was allowed 
to take position in the rear of the fortified line. Firing 
continued throughout the nighii and at short intervals 
scare demonstrations were started, when the skirmishers 
on both sides would pour in volley after volley and the 
Union shouts were answered with defiant Confederate 
yells, making the night horrid, a bedlam of noise and 
battle. Never-the-less, the men of the 6th Iowa slept 
soundly, knowing that brave and alert soldiers held the 
works between them and the enemy. 

On March 21st, at an early hour, troops were marching 
and being assigned positions in the lines ; and engineers, 
pioneers, and heavy fatigue details, from all the com- 
mands, were engaged at strengthening the lines, and 
building new works and parapets for the artillery, which 
was brought to the front and placed in the line occupied 
by General Woods' and General Corse's divisions. 

At mid-day, the First Division, 17th Army Corps, Gen- 
eral J. A. Mower commanding, was engaged in a hotly 
contested affair with the enemy in a big swamp along 
Mill Creek in front of the 17th Corps lines on the ex- 
treme right. This was the immediate cause of orders 
for General Woods and General Corse to press the enemy 
in their fronts, as a counter movement. 

Before noon the 6th Iowa had moved forward and tak- 
en its regular place in the line of the Second Brigade and 
joined in the general advance. The lines advanced in 
handsome style, the skirmishers carrying the enemy's 
advance rifle-pits, which they tried repeatedly to regain, 
but failed in every instance. At several points along 
the division front the fortified lines were not more than 
fifty yards from the enemy's lines and were held under 
heavy volley firing by the enemy from his main works. 
At the same time, and covering the advance of the infan- 



FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOROUGH 433 

try, the Union artillery opened fire with great fury and 
effect on the enemy's pits and fortified lines. This was 
kept up at short intervals during the afternoon and far 
into the night, making the day hideous and the night 
lurid, by the fire of fifty guns on each side. 

Early in the morning a drizzling rain set in and con- 
tinued all day and all night, rendering the roads almost 
impassable again for teams and trains and covering the 
adjacent fields with a sea of mud and water. For those 
engaged at digging rifle-pits and building works, it was 
difficult to tell which was most annoying, the enemy's 
balls or the sticky North Carolina mud. The noise and 
roar of conflict was a vivid reminder, all during the day 
and night, of the siege of Atlanta and the campaign in 
Georgia. Shelter tents were put up by the men close 
behind the main works, where they slept sweetly and 
soundly within a few yards of a four gun battery, that 
kept up a regular fire at stated intervals during the night. 

At daybreak, March 22nd, the Second Brigade skir- 
mishers advanced and found the works abandoned. John- 
ston 's army had evacuated its fortified position during 
the night, adopting the same tactics so successfully prac- 
ticed in the Georgia campaign. 

The 26th Illinois deployed as skirmishers and closely 
followed by the whole brigade moved out on the Benton- 
ville road three miles to that village, in time to save the 
burning bridge over Mill Creek ; crossed over the bridge 
and conunenced skirmishing with the rear guard of the 
retreating enemy, driving them in confusion beyond 
Hannah's Creek, on the Raleigh road. The brigade re- 
turned to Bentonville and there took up a position cover- 
ing the Mill Creek crossing and bivouacked for the night, 
thus ending the pursuit. 

While camped at Mill Creek, there was witnessed 



434 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the phenomenal spectacle of a river on fire. This was 
caused by a large quantity of resin stored at a factory 
on the bank of the creek being set on fire, the intense heat 
causing the burning and melted resin to flow dowm into 
the creek, where, coming in contact with the water, it sud- 
denly cooled and hardened, until the bed of the stream 
was filled with the burning mass for several hundred 
yards below the factory. 

General Sherman's order announcing the end of the 
campaign, and that the army would be marched to Golds- 
borough and there enjoy a short season of rest, where ' 
rations and clothing would be issued in abundance, was 
hailed by the troops with shouts of joy and much genuine 
satisfaction. 

The army moved from its position in the works about 
Bentonville, commencing with the left wing and passed 
by corps to the rear in the direction of Goldsborough, 
to which point General Schofield's corps had advanced 
from the coast. 

The First Division, 15th Corps, held the position at 
Bentonville, until the morning of the 23rd. The corps 
was the last to draw out of the works and reached Golds- 
borough, March 24th, crossing the Neuse River on pon- 
toons below the railroad bridge. The 15th and 17th 
army corps were reviewed as they passed through the 
city of Goldsborough, by General Sherman and many 
distinguished officers of the army, the men presenting a 
strong, hearty appearance ; but they were in rags and al- 
most shoeless. The camps of the two corps were estab- 
lished east and south of town, from one to two miles, 
where the army supply trains arrived from Kinston with 
five days rations. 

The left vnng of the army had sustained the brunt of 
the battle, with General Johnston's Confederate forces 



FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOROUGH 435 

about Bentonville, as was indicated by the list of casual- 
ties. Losses were as follows : Fifteenth Corps — killed 
22, wounded 166, captured 2, total 190; Seventeenth 
Corps — killed 20, wounded 125, captured 48, total 193; 
aggregate, right wing, 383; Fourteenth Corps — killed 
130, wounded 640, captured 116, total 886; Twentieth 
Corps — killed 22, wounded 181, captured 55, total 258; 
aggregate, left wing, 1144 men; grand total, Sherman's 
army — killed 194, wounded 1112, captured 221; aggre- 
gate loss, 1527 men. Casualties in the Sixth Iowa w^ere : 
killed — Sergeant Charles F. Stratton, Company D ; 
wounded — Adjutant Andrew T. Samson, Private John 
W. Le Grand, Company D ; Sergeant Richard W. Court- 
ney ^^ and Private James P. Spinks, Company E, and 
Sergeant George S. Richardson, Company G. 

No man in the ranks of the Sixth Iowa was any better 
known or more dearly beloved by all his comrades than 
was Charley Stratton, the curly headed drummer boy. 
He had been specially daring all day, while on the skir- 
mish line and in all the charges on the barricades, dis- 
playing great gallantrj'-, and, just when the victory was 
won in the last advance, a musket ball pierced his heart, 
killing him instantly. 

The casualties sustained by the Confederates, for the 
same period, were: killed 239, wounded 1694, missing 
673; aggregate 2606 men. 

Captain Orin S. Rarick, Company B, was detailed at 
the beginning of the campaign to command the 6th Iowa 
foragers and, having had much experience in that ser- 
vice on the march to Savannah, he selected two men 
from each company, with particular reference to their 

33 The Adjutant General's report states that Sergeant Eiehard W. 
Courtney had been discharged for disability, January 5, 1865. — Report 
of the Adjutant General of Iowa, 1866-1867, Vol. I, p. 498. 

29 



436 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

qualifications for that kind of hazardous service, to com- 
pose his squad. The detail started out on foot, but soon 
captured horses and mules sufficient to furnish each man 
with a mount. Hardly a day passed, during the sixty 
days campaigning, without a skirmish or brush of some 
kind with the enemy's mounted forces patrolling the 
flanks of the marching columns. Still the squad did not 
lose a man until it struck Captain A. M. Shannon's com- 
pany of special mounted scouts, attached to General 
Wheeler's Cavalry Corps of the Confederate army, on 
the Weldon Railroad ten or twelve miles north of Golds- 
borough, at Nahunta Depot, on March 24th. 

The detail had crossed the Neuse Eiver in advance of 
the Corps and proceeded to that neighborhood. Here 
two wagons had been secured and loaded mth flour, meal, 
bacon, hams, poultry, and some other articles of pro- 
visions, and started towards camp at Goldsborough. 
"When passing near the depot. Captain Rarick with four 
of his men left the wagons and the escort to proceed on 
their way and went to the station, where they were as- 
sailed by Captain Shannon's scouts, numbering twenty- 
five or thirty mounted men. Captain Rarick and his 
little band returned the fire and then commenced a hasty 
retreat. At a half mile from the station, one of the four 
men w^as shot and killed ; at a half mile further, another 
was killed and one thrown from his horse; while the 
fourth was overtaken and captured by the pursuing 
enemy. Being well mounted. Captain Rarick then began 
a race for his life and was hotly pursued for another 
mile, until the escort with the wagons was overtaken, who 
poured a volley into the pursuers and tunied them back 
mth loss. 

Captain Rarick quickly explained to his men what had 
happened and with them started back to recover the 



FAYETTEVILLE TO GOLDSBOROUGH 437 

bodies of their dead comrades. They were joined by a 
number of foragers from the 12th New York Cavalry, in- 
creasing their force to twenty-five ; but, before reaching 
the place where the men were killed, all the cavalry, ex- 
cept four, had backed out. Not daunted by the reduc- 
tion of liis force, the intrepid Captain, with his squad 
and the four brave cavalrymen, proceeded on their er- 
rand of devotion to dead comrades. While arranging 
to carr}^ the bodies back to camp the enemy assailed them 
again with a greatly increased force and compelled them 
to again abandon their dead, after a brave stand and a 
hard fight. Captain Rarick and eight of his men con- 
tinued the march, with the two wagon loads of forage, to 
Goldsborough, where they arrived that evening. 

The casualties were : killed — Private Henr>^ M. Ben- 
ner, Company C; Private John B. Brown, Company D; 
Private William H. Stewart, Company F; mortally 
wounded — Sergeant Charles Fleming, Company I, died, 
April 20, 1865 ; ivounded — Corporal David Mann, Com- 
pany B, severely through the lung ; captured — privates 
Jonathan S. Knight, Company E, Esau McBride, Com- 
pany F, Joseph Cassiday, Company H, Michael Holland, 
Company G; total, 9 men. Leonard F. Kemple, Com- 
pany A, John W. Dodge, Company B, Elijah DJ Devore, 
Company D, and Benjamin Bixby, Company H, were 
members of the squad, but unharmed in the engagement. 
The four men of the New York Cavaliy were all captured 
in the last affair, one being severely wounded through 
the thigh. 

Captain Shannon reported the affair to General 
Wheeler, thus : 

During the evening we killed 7, and now send you 13 pris- 
oners from the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Third 
Corps ; also 4 from the Twelfth New York Cavalry. 



438 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 1 

Sergeant Fleming and Corporal Mann were rescued in 
that vicinity, three days afterwards, by a 20th Corps 
party of foragers, and brought to the camp hospital at 
Goldsborough. Sergeant Fleming was shot through the 
head with a large musket ball, and did not recover con- 
sciousness. 

A history of the mounted foragers — '' Sherman 'sj 
Bummers" — would be the recital of deeds of daring and ' 
heroic bravery, coupled with a patient endurance of 
hardships, unparalleled in the annals of warfare. 

Considering the great distance traveled — 500 miles — 
the inclement weather, the labor performed in building 
corduroy road, and bridging flooded streams, the scarcity 
of supplies for men and animals, the tattered condition 
of uniforms, an almost shoeless condition and the con- 
stant vigilance required to guard against a bold and de- 
termined foe, the troops arrived and established their 
camps about Goldsborough in good health and excellent 
spirits. 

The officers and men of the Sixth Iowa present, per- 
f oraied their full proportion of the arduous duties, with 
military alacrity and precision, and with patriotic fidel- 
ity to the flag and the Union. 



XXVII 

GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 

General Sherman's araiy and the troops from the coast 
were united at Goldsborough, all under his command. 
The First Division took position on the New Berne road 
at Rouse 's plantation, in the line of the 15th Army Corps, 
one mile and a half east of Webbville. This was a very 
pleasant location for a camp as well as a strong defen- 
sive position. A line of breastworks, with abatis in 
front, was built by the troops along the entire front of 
the division, also an embrasure battery for four guns, to 
be occupied by the 12th Wisconsin Battery. All this was 
done under the supervision of the engineer department 
and after the plans furnished by the chief engineer of the 
army. Colonel 0. M. Poe. 

The almost constant practice had by the army at build- 
ing field works made the troops expert and tolerably 
good judges of what it took to constitute a line of good 
defensive works. Many of the men in the ranks had be- 
come quite as skillful at locating and constructing as 
were the regular engineer officers assigned to that duty. 
The splendid marksmanship developed in both the Union 
and Confederate armies led to the adoption of the head- 
log in all rifle-pit and intrenchment building. It was a 
huge log laid upon blocks on top of the works, raised 
sufficiently from the parapet to allow a musket to pass 
through underneath it and to permit steady aim to be 
taken, while the log protected the head of the rifleman 
from the enemy's fire. In well constructed works skids 

439 



440 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

were used, which rested on the ground in the rear of the 
inside trench, so that if the headlog was knocked off the 
parapet by artillery fire it rolled along the skids to the 
rear without injuring anyone in the trench. One day 
sufficed to erect the works covering the army, fully 
twenty-five miles in extent. 

Camps were laid out and established, the regulation 
limits being assigned to each regiment, the ground 
cleared and neatly policed. The troops were at once set 
to work thoroughly cleaning their arms and accouter- 
ments, putting them in the best possible condition for 
future service. Each enlisted man was required, in gen- 
eral orders, to have his hair cut short. 

Such excellent health in an army of 65,000 men at the 
close of a long and arduous campaign, with only a frac- 
tion over two per cent reported sick — much less than 
if the troops had been lying idle in camp — is best ac- 
counted for because of active campaigning in the open 
air, almost entire freedom from drunkenness, variety of 
food and the predator}^ method of obtaining it, but not 
the least of the causes was the fact that the army was 
led by a General in whom all had implicit confidence, 
making the soldier buoyant and happy. 

An abundance of army rations together with a full sup- 
ply of new clothing was obtained from the depot estab- 
lished at Kinston, twenty-six miles east of Golds- 
borough at the head of navigation on the Neuse River, 
and, in less than ten days the troops were all equipped 
with clothing, shoes, and everj^thing needed to make them 
comfortable and efficient. The shelter tents and gum 
blankets, together with a few boards and poles, procured 
in the vicinity, werei ingeniously constructed by the men 
into comfortable quarters of irregular shape and size, 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 441 

which were not *'a thing of beauty", but which gave the 
camp an appearance of comfort not experienced for 
months, while campaigning in the wilds of Georgia and 
in the South Carolina woods. 

Northern newspapers were received in the camps and 
the history of events for the past two months eagerly 
devoured by the men. Huge piles of mail, with letters 
from home and friends, were received, some bearing joy 
and good cheer, while others bore tidings of death and 
sadness. 

Many of the sick and wounded men, who were left in 
hospitals when the army departed from Atlanta in No- 
vember, rejoined their regiments, having marched from 
the coast in a provisional corps, attached to General 
Schofield's conmiand. 

The tiresome company and battalion drills ordered and 
practiced, forenoons and afternoons, were not relished 
by officers or men with any degree of satisfaction after 
the free nomadic habits acquired in the Carolinas. 
Nevertheless the exercise was very beneficial to the 
good health maintained in the camps while at Golds- 
borough. 

The financial condition in Sherman's army on its ar- 
rival at Goldsborough and wliile there is aptly illus- 
trated by the General's owti financial extremity as dis- 
closed in a letter to General Halleck, Chief of Staff at 
the War Department in the city of Washington, written 
April 5th, in which he said: 

I send you by Sergeant [William A.] Rose, of Iowa, my re- 
port [of the Carolina Campaign] .... and some things 
to Mrs. Sherman. . . . We are all dead broke here; no 
paymaster, and none expected. The sergeant has a furlough 
to go to Iowa. If you can give him an order of transporta- 



442 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

tion, say to Burlington, Iowa, or give him $40 and charge to 
me; I expect to turn up somewhere, and have pay due since 
January 1, think my credit good for that amount. 

On April 10th, General Halleck replied : 

Sergeant Rose brought me your letter and report yesterday. 
I have given him $20 and a ticket to Iowa, via both South 
Bend and Chicago, so that he will be certain to find Mrs. S. 

It was by such simple methods, honesty, and sincerity 
of purpose that the great commander was brought into 
such close touch with the soldiers of his army. He nev- 
er posed, but was always easy and respectful in manner, 
and free to speak. It required no display or pomp on 
his part to maintain dignity as a commander ; intuitively 
the men paid him respectful homage, held him in the 
highest esteem, and had for him the most devoted love 
and trusting confidence. Any ''chuck-a-luck" dealer 
in the army would have been pleased to furnish him with 
any amount of funds required. 

Corps and army badges were not recognized and adopt- 
ed throughout the western armies as early in the war as 
they had been in the Army of the Potomac. It was at 
the battle of Lookout Mountain that a soldier wearing 
the red star badge of the 12th Army Corps hailed an 
Irishman with the question: ''What corps do you be- 
long to?" ''Fifteenth", came the genial answer. 
"What is the badge of your corps?" quizzed the Yankee. 
Clapping his hand on his cartridge box, the Irishman re- 
plied, "Forty Bounds!" The incident was related to 
General Logan, commanding the 15th Corps, who at once 
announced the cartridge box as the emblem and badge 
of the corps. 

It never received official sanction until the army was 
entering upon the Carolina campaign at Savannah and 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 443 

Beaufort, when orders were published [February 14, 
1865] to the army, describing the badge as follows: 

A miniature cartridge box, black, one-eighth of an inch 
thick, fifteen-sixteenths of an inch wide, and thirteen-sixteenths 
of an inch deep, set transversely on a field of cloth or metal 
one and five-eighths of an inch square; above the cartridge 
box plate will be stamped or marked in a curve the motto 
"Forty Rounds". The field on which the cartridge box is set 
will be red for the First Division, white for the Second 
Division, blue for the Third Division, and yellow for the Fourth 
Division. For the headquarters of the corps the field will be 
parti-colored, of red, white, blue and yellow. . . . The 
badge will invariably be worn upon the hat or cap. 

On April 9th, orders were issued adopting a corps 
flag, as follows: the corps flag was to be of silk or bunt- 
ing with a fly of five feet six inches and a hoist of five 
feet ; the field was to be quartered mth the division colors 
— red, white, blue, and yellow — with a yellow fringe ; in 
the center of the field was to be placed the corps badge, a 
cartridge box of regulation size, with the inscription over 
the box in gilt letters, ' ' Forty Rounds ' '. The First Di- 
vision flag was to be the same size as the corps flag; with 
the field red and fringe yellow; with corps badge and mot- 
to ; the Second Division, white field ; the Third Division, 
blue field; the Fourth Division, yellow field. Brigade 
flags were to be swallow tailed, five feet from the peak to 
the end of the swallow tail, three feet to the fork, and four 
feet five inches on pike. The field of the flag was to be 
of the division color, and besides the fringe, it was to 
have a border of one of the corps colors other than the 
particular division color in the order of the brigade. 
For instance, the Second Brigade, First Division, was to 
have the field red, border blue, fringe yellow, cartridge 
box equidistant between pike and fork of swallow tail 



444 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

with the motto above box. The flags were to be used to 
designate corps, division, and brigade headquarters, and 
were to accompany the several commanding officers on 
the march, and in action were to designate the position 
to the troops and to the commanding officers. All wag- 
ons and ambulances were to be marked with their ap- 
propriate badges. 

On Saturday, April 1st, the Sixth Iowa came out in a 
brand new suit of blue, with new hats and new shoes. All 
looked so clean and neat, and presented such a sameness 
of appearance that it was difficult to recognize one from 
another. 

The evening parades, with an average of two hundred 
men and officers in line and a fine drum and fife coi*ps, 
were interesting and pleasing ceremonies performed 
daily in a. creditable and soldierly manner. The regular 
Sunday inspection the next moniing was made with more 
than the usual care, when eveiy thing connected with the 
equipment and the men themselves was found to be in 
superb condition, ready for the new campaign. 

Goldsborough, the county seat of Wayne County, North 
Carolina, situated on the Neuse River, was an inland 
railroad crossing, fifty miles southeast of Raleigh, the 
State capital. It had a population of twelve or fifteen 
hundred people at the beginning of the war. It was a 
strategic point in all militarj^ operations which gave it 
far more than ordinary importance. 

The granting of passes to those who desired to visit 
their friends in other commands of the army was much 
appreciated. A day or two away from routine duty, spent 
in the genial company of friends and relatives, was high- 
ly appreciated and enjoyed by large numbers through- 
out the army. In such pleasant manner the two weeks 
of camp-life were too soon ended, and the orders announc- 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 445 

ing the new campaign, to be inaugurated against John- 
ston's army and Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, 
on April 10th, was published to the army. 

The army was reorganized to consist of three grand 
divisions of two aniiy corps each : the Army of the Ten- 
nessee, 15th and 17th corps, constituting the right wing, 
commanded by Alajor-General 0. 0. Howard; the Army 
of the Ohio, 23rd and 10th coi*ps, forming the center, 
commanded by Major-General John M. Schofield; the 
Army of Georgia, 14th and 20th corps, constituting the 
left wing, commanded by Major-General Heniy W. Slo- 
cum; while the Cavalry Division was commanded by 
Major-General Judson Kilpatrick. The whole army 
was under the supreme command of Major-General 
William T. Sherman. No material changes were made in 
the brigade, division, and corps organizations, or com- 
manders, all remaining substantially the same as they 
had been during the last campaign. 

The strength of the araiy present for duty, April 10, 
1865, was: right wing, 28,834; left wing, 28,063; center, 
26,392; cavalry, 5,659; aggregate, 88,948 men and 97 
guns. The strength of the Confederate army, present 
for duty at the same time, camped about Smithfield and 
Raleigh was : the Army of Tennessee — remnants of J. 
E. Johnston's and J. B. Hood's old army — 10,260; D. 
H. Hill's division, 1778; W. J. Hardee's and R. F. Hoke's 
corps, 11,756; Wade Hampton's and Joseph Wheeler's 
cavalry, 7542; aggregate 31,336 men. 

Monday, April 10, 1865, pursuant to orders, the whole 
army was put in motion, the columns marching on all the 
roads leading to Smithfield and Raleigh, where all the 
Confederate forces were assembled to make a last heroic 
stand. 

The troops bade farewell to their pleasant camps about 



446 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Goldsborough with some keen expressions of regret. 
While they believed the prospect for peace was bright, 
the war was not yet over, and lying in comfortable camps 
would not end it. They were tired of marching and 
fighting; but, like General Sherman, they believed that, 
and that only, would end it. 

The 15th Army Corps, General Logan conamanding, 
held the right of the line, with the First Division on the 
extreme right, in the grand forward swoop of the army 
on Ealeigh. The line from right to left covered a dis- 
tance of thirty miles, enveloping Johnston's army at 
Smithfield. The army was finely equipped, the men in 
splendid physical condition, and all were hopeful and 
buoyant of spirit. 

The Sixth Iowa, in its accustomed place in the brigade 
column, marched through the streets of Goldsborough 
and out on the wagon road leading north along the Wel- 
don Railroad. The enemy was found at the crossing of 
Nahunta Creek, but the resistance made by the small 
force did not impede or delay the advance forces of the 
column. 

Sharp skirmishing continued throughout the day be- 
tween the small parties and commands, until evening, 
when the cavalry showed themselves with great boldness. 
When driven away, nothing was left except the smould- 
ering campfires they had so hastily abandoned. The 
First Division went into camp for the night, near Na- 
hunta, on the Weldon Railroad, at 5 p. m., and threw up 
light field works covering the position as the extreme 
right flank of the army. The distance marched was 16 
miles. It rained all the afternoon. 

At 6 a. m., the next morning, the column marched out 
on the road leading toward Beulah, and passed through 
the enemy's abandoned fortifications. The advance 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 447 

guard skirmished all the forenoon mth the enemy's cav- 
alry, who made a stand at Great Swamp and very stub- 
horn resistance at Beulah. The head of the column ar- 
rived at Folk's bridge on Little River at 11 a. m., routed 
1500 cavalry guarding the crossing ; repaired the bridge, 
and, at 4 p. m., crossed to the west side ; camped for the 
night, at sundown, at the forks of the Smithfield and 
Pineville roads; having marched 15 miles. It rained 
again during the afternoon, causing the roads to be 
heavy. 

April 12th, the troops broke camp at daylight and 
marched out on the Smithfield road. Skinnishing com- 
menced at once with the enemy's outposts, who were 
guarding all the roads leading to their fortified position 
at Smithfield, and to the city of Raleigh. The resistance 
was only slight and caused very little impediment to the 
advance of the column. The head of the column was 
turned to the right, during the afternoon, on the Raleigh 
road, where the First Division went into camp in an open 
field near Pineville, having marched a distance of 14 
miles. 

The announcement of the surrender of General Lee and 
the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, to General 
Grant at Appomattox Court House, on April 9th, was 
made by an officer of General Howard's staff to the 
marching troops during the afternoon. It was hailed 
with shouts of joy and prolonged cheering by the men 
all along the column. The frantic tumult dying down 
would soon break out afresh, extending along the line 
until it died away in the distance like the roar of reced- 
ing thunder in a storm tempest. All could now see the 
end, and recognized the fact that only a short shift with 
Johnston's army, and all would be over. 

April 13th, the column marched 15 miles, crossed the 



448 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Neuse River on a pontoon bridge and camped for the ; 
night five miles out from the city of Raleigh. The an- j 
nouncement was made during the evening in the camps 
that the advance forces of the army on the direct road 
had received the surrender of and had occupied Raleigh, , 
the capital city of North Carolina, where General Sher- 1| 
man had established headquarters in the Governor's 
mansion. The news was received by the troops with 
great demonstrations of joy, the hilarity being kept up 
until a late hour at night. 

On April 14th, the troops broke camp at 8 a. m., took 
up the line of march in the rear of the Third Division, 
crossed "Walnut Creek and entered Raleigh. On the edge 
of the suburbs of the city, the Second Brigade was halted, 
the regiments closed up, and the command foiTQed in 
column of companies, with all the music assembled at the 
head of the brigade. Colonel Catterson, attended by his 
staff in full dress, led the column through the broad 
streets of the beautifully embowered city, passing in re- 
view at the capitol grounds, where Generals Sherman, 
Howard, Logan, and many other distinguished generals 
and ofiicers of the amiy were stationed. 

The fifteen hundred men, rank and file, composing the 
Second Brigade, marched superbly and the whole com- 
mand from the Colonel commanding down to the last 
man in the rear rank appeared to good advantage, and 
received the approving plaudits of the thousands of 
Union and Confederate soldiers, and of the citizens, who 
lined the streets the entire route through the city. The 
march was continued out on the Hillsborough road for 
three miles, where the division camped on the west bank 
of Beaver Dam Creek, on the right hand side of the road. 
The distance marched during the day was 9 miles. 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 449 

April 15th, the men remained idle in camp all day, in 
a steady do^\aipour of rain. All understood that the 
halt was being made, while negotiations were pending 
for the surrender of General. Johnston's army. April 
16th, all hostile demonstrations were suspended, pend- 
ing negotiations for a general peace and the ending of 
the war. 

The First, Second, and Tliird divisions of the 15th 
Army Corps were encamped about Raleigh, and the 
Fourth Division, General Corse commanding, was 
twenty miles away at Morrisville supporting the cavalry 
advance of the amiy. The other corps of the anny were 
all advanced west of Raleigh, in the direction of the Haw 
River and all operating towards Greensborough, where 
General Johnston, with the remnants of the Confeder- 
ate army, was located for the next stand. 

On April 17th "Our noble President has been assassi- 
nated and is dead", was the startling announcement, 
made to the troops, as they were idly lounging about 
their camps, of the assassination and death of President 
Abraham Lincoln, by J. Wilkes Booth, at Washington 
City. General Sherman made official announcement of 
the sad news to the army, in the f oUomng' words : 

The general commanding announces, with pain and sorrow, 
that on the evening of the 14th mstant, at the theatre in 
Washington City, His Excellency, the President of the United 
States, Mr. Lincoln, was assassinated by one who uttered the 
State motto of Virginia [Sic Semper Tyrannis]. 

At first many doubted the reliability of the news, but 
the a\\^ul reality of its truthfulness was confirmed and 
accepted wdth universal grief throughout the army, and 
with sincere sorrow by most of the disbanded and sur- 
rendered Confederate soldiers congregated in the city. 



450 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

The few remaining citizens were seemingly dazed with 
fear that vengeance might be resorted to by the troops, 
and that all officials and the now helpless people of the 
southern States would be held responsible for the awful 
calamity. Discussing the possible consequences, it was 
recognized by all to be the most distressing and fatal 
calamity that could have happened, just at that particu- 
larly critical period, when white-winged peace was hov- 
ering over a long time distracted country and war im- 
poverished people. The defeat of General Grant's army 
in Virginia would not have had such a sad and depress- 
ing effect upon the officers and men of Sherman's army, 
as did the death of the great President. 

Severe rainstorms prevailed for two days and nights 
making everything drear and uncomfortable about the 
camps, and causing the roads to again become almost 
impassable for army operations. Many of the officers 
and men of the Sixth Iowa took advantage of the liberal 
pass privileges, as did the rest of the commands, and 
visited the city, viewing the public buildings and State 
institutions, in and about the city. The State House, or 
capitol building, was the most attractive. It was situ- 
ated in a beautiful inclosure in the heart of the city, filled 
with giant oak trees more than a hundred years older 
than the city itself. The great bronze statue of George 
Washington at the entrance to the capitol building was 
a most striking figure, which was viewed with great ad- 
miration by all the visiting soldiers. 

The institutions for the blind and the deaf and dumb 
were especially interesting and the daily exercises had 
were entertaining and highly appreciated by all, who 
cared for and sympathized with the unfortunate of hu- 
manity. On account of the successful management of 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 451 

the institutions by the superintendents and teachers, who 
maintained them through the hard times and stringent 
period of the war, General Slocum, who was present to 
witness the exercises, informed the officials in charge 
that he would furnish an abundance of supplies, from the 
army commissary, for all the institutions in the city, 
assuring to them subsistence for all their inmates. One 
of the very affecting incidents that occurred during the 
exercises was the rendering of the touching song, "The 
Vacant Chair", by a blind woman, an inmate of the in- 
stitution, who furnished her own accompaniment on the 
piano. The song caused tears to bathe the bronzed 
cheeks of the many soldiers present. 

The two daily papers published in the city only missed 
being issued one day, on account of the change in mili- 
tary occupation. In their announcements of policy, they 
stated that the only material change would be in the 
price of the paper. In the Confederacy it sold for fifty 
cents, but now, that they were back in the Union, under 
the folds of "Old Glory", the price would be ten cents, 
in "Uncle Sam's " money. 

The capitol grounds were a place of rendezvous for 
the men of Lee's and Johnston's disbanded armies, who 
straggled into the city on their way home. Hundreds 
and thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers daily 
congregated in the cooling shade of the beautiful park, 
where the war and future aims and prospects in life 
were freely discussed ; but sad and discouraging was the 
prospect for the grizzled Confederates. 

General Carl Schurz, serving as Chief of Staff at the 
headquarters of General Slocum, on the solicitation of 
both Union and Confederate soldiers there assembled, 
delivered an impromptu speech, of great power and ef- 



30 



452 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

feet, from the steps leading up into the capitol building. 
Had the spirit of reconciliation, the patriotic sentiment, 
the sound logic, and the wholesome advice, so eloquently 
set forth by him, prevailed in the subsequent policy of 
the government toward the conquered people of the 
South, much of sectional bitterness and political acri- 
mony would have been averted. 

On April 19th, the First Division broke camp at an 
early hour in the morning, marched through the city and 
went into camp one mile north of town, in a beautiful 
pine grove, where all four divisions of the 15th Army 
Corps were again united on one camping ground. The 
old Confederate barracks that had been erected there 
were toni down and the lumber used to build temporary 
shelter for the troops, making the prettiest camp enjoyed 
by the command, for a long time. 

The negotiations between General Sheraian and Gen- 
eral Johnston for the surrender of the latter 's army 
and all the rest of the organized Confederate forces 
throughout the South, resulted in a personal interview 
by the great leaders. An agreement setting forth the 
terais and conditions of surrender was signed, which, 
when formally ratified at Washington, would insure peace 
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. Suspension of 
hostilities was announced to the army in orders, where- 
upon all demonstrations ceased and the army remained 
in the camps established where the advancing columns 
had been halted by the orders. 

April 20th, the orders suspending hostilities and the 
verbal promise of General Sherman that the army would 
soon be marching home, via Washington City, were re- 
ceived in the camps by the troops with great demonstra- 
tions of joy and prolonged cheering throughout all the 
commands. 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 453 

The 10th Army Corps was reviewed in the city by Gen- 
eral Sherman. The corps, as organized and commanded 
by Major-General A. H. Terry, was composed of three 
divisions of three brigades each, thirty-nine regiments of 
infantry and three field batteries, with an aggregate 
present of 15,692 men. The most attractive feature of 
the ceremony to the men in Sherman 's army was a whole 
division of colored troops. Of especial interest to Iowa 
men was the presence and splendid marching of the 22nd, 
24th, and 28th Iowa regiments in the First Division. 

On April 21st, the new camp was baptized by an all 
forenoon rain. The rain ceased and the 23rd Army 
Corps, Major-General Jacob B. Cox commanding, was 
reviewed in the city during the afternoon by General 
Sherman. He was attended by a large number of famil- 
iar general officers and their retinues of superbly capari- 
soned staff officers, all stationed at the State House 
grounds. The corps numbered 18,216 men present, and 
made a grand military display. 

April 22nd passed over as a quiet day, both in the camp 
and city. Northern newspapers, on sale in the city, were 
purchased and eagerly scanned for news of the final end- 
ing of the war, and the probable date for starting home. 

On April 23rd, the Second Brigade, Colonel Catterson 
in command, performed the ceremony of grand review 
at their camp in the forenoon. There were largely in- 
creased numbers in the ranks, on account of absent offi- 
cers and men having joined their commands at Raleigh. 
These had been absent, sick and wounded, in northern 
hospitals and had returned to the army, via the coast 
route. Fifty- two officers and men joined the Sixth Iowa 
who had been absent since the army left Atlanta, on the 
march to the sea. 

April 24th was marked by a grand military spectacle. 



454 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

and a review of the 17th Army Corps, by General Sher- 
man and General Grant. General Grant had arrived at 
Raleigh during the early morning with the rejected |j 
terms of surrender agreed upon by General Sherman i 5 
and General Johnston. Notice of the rejection was at I 
once dispatched to General Johnston, at Greensborough, , 
and orders were published to the army announcing that 
the suspension proclaimed in orders on the 19th Avould 
terminate at 12 noon on Wednesday, the 26th instant, 
when hostilities would be resumed, according to the plans 
and orders suspended by the truce. The Sixth Iowa 
furnished a large detail for picket guard at night. 

The next day, on receipt of the notice of the govern- 
ment's rejection of the agreement. General Johnston at 
once renewed negotiations, proposing a modification of 
the terms to meet the requirements of the authorities at 
Washington, and asked for an annistice and a meeting to 
arrange details. This was readily assented to by Gen- 
eral Sherman, and April 26th, at 12 o'clock noon, at 
Bennett's house, near Durham's Station, was fixed upon 
as the time and place of meeting. 

At the time and place set a new convention was entered 
into by the parties, as follows: 

1. All acts of war on the part of the troops under General 
Johnston's command to cease from this date. 

2. All arms and public property to be deposited at Greens- 
borough and delivered to the ordnance officer of the United 
States Army. 

3. Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in dupli- 
cate, one copy to be retained by the commander of the troops, 
and the other to be given to an officer to be designated by 
General Sherman, each officer and man to give his individual 
obligation in writing not to take up arms against the Govern- 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 455 

ment of the United States until properly released from this 
obligation. 

4. The side-arms of officers and their private horses and 
baggage to be retained by them. 

5. This being done, all the officers and men will be per- 
mitted to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by the 
United States authorities so long as they observe their obli- 
gation and the laws in force where they may reside. 

W. T. Sherman, 
Major-General, Commanding V. S. Forces in North Carolina. 

J. E. Johnston, 
General, Commanding C. S. Forces in North Carolina. 
Raleigh, N. C, April 26, 1865. 

Approved : 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-General. 

General Sherman had directed that the troops be held 
at rest during the renewed negotiations for peace, but 
well in hand, prepared to move when receiving orders 
to renew hostilities. On April 27th, special field orders 
were published from army headquarters announcing to 
the troops the final agreement of surrender made "with 
General Johnston, which terminated the war. 

In consequence of the troops being held in place ready 
to renew the forAvard movement, there was no regular 
review had by the 15th Army Corps for General Grant ; 
but, in its stead, he was accompanied by General Sherman 
and a great retinue of distinguished officers of the army, 
on a tour of inspection through the corps camps, where 
he was received by the troops with enthusiastic demon- 
strations. 

Intelligent, painstaking labor is the prerequisite to 
success in any calling, and particularly so in the profes- 



456 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

sion of arms. The proficiency attained in drill and mili- 
tary bearing by the officers and men, and the fine person- 
al appearance of the rank and file, together with the skill 
and good taste displayed in fitting up such pretty camps, 
all reflected industry, discipline, and the highest honor 
and credit, on the part of the whole command. 

To be inspected and march in grand review before the 
two greatest generals of the war, Grant and Sherman, 
was an inestimable privilege. It inspired the hearts of the 
veteran soldiers with the highest and noblest conscious- 
ness of manliness and pride, as patriots, soldiers, and 
citizens, and it prompted and stimulated continued energy 
and diligence in the faithful performance of duty, with 
strict observance of military discipline, raising their ac- 
quired standard in military courtesies and gentlemanly 
civilities to equal the enviable reputation acquired for 
physical endurance and noble courage so heroically won 
in the campaigns and on the battlefields. 

The reviews had in the city, by several army corps, 
afforded an opportunity for its citizens to witness a dis- 
play of the grandeur and powder of the army and the na- 
tion, which certainly did arouse the old time sentiment 
of loyalty to the Union, now so happily restored, by the 
Johnston-Sherman agreement for peace. 

At the evening parade, on April 27th, orders were read 
announcing that the four corps of Sherman's campaign- 
ing army would proceed by easy marches to the city of 
Eichmond, Virginia. The news was received through- 
out the camps with great rejoicing; each regiment, as it 
was dismissed after parade, giving three rousing cheers. 
Later in the evening, a grand jubilee of rejoicing was 
participated in by all the troops. Great shouting and 
singing, with bands and drum corps playing — all 



GOLDSBOROUGH TO RALEIGH 457 

brought into requisition to celebrate — created a medley 
of noise and confusion that only ceased when the men 
were exhausted. The fact of white-winged peace, which 
had created such universal joy in the armies and through- 
out the whole land, could hardly be realized and many 
would awake, believing it only the hallucination of a 
pleasant dream. 

That the army was really, and in fact ordered, to take 
up the homeward march, and that too, through the now 
famed city and capital of the Confederacy, created the 
liveliest anticipations of historic places and war scenes 
to be seen en route. 

Much acrimonious feeling had been engendered be- 
tween General Sheniian and the leading officials of the 
War Department, especially the Honorable E. M. Stan- 
ton, Secretary of War, and General H. W. Halleck, Cliief 
of Staff, concerning the terms of surrender stipulated in 
the first Johnston-Sherman agreement, submitted to and 
rejected by the Department at Washington. The objec- 
tion made was that General Sherman willfully assumed 
authority, involving civil and political questions of grave 
importance, and the welfare and future interests of the 
government. 

Bitter and scathing criticism of his motives and action 
in entering into the agreement was indulged in by high 
officials of the goveniment and the northern press, caus- 
ing the noble man and patriot soldier the most poignant 
suffering and causing him to say in the closing para- 
graph of a communication to the Secretary of War: '*I 
had flattered myself that by four years' patient, unre- 
mitting, and successful labor I deserve no reminder such 
as is contained in the last paragraph of your letter to 
General Grant". This paragraph reads as follows: 



458 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

"The hope of the country is that you may repair the mis- 
fortune occasioned by Sherman's negotiations". 

His sensitive feelings and wounded spirit were meas- 
urably consoled, through all the unfortunate and trying 
controversy, by the always enthusiastic demonstrations 
of devoted love and loyalty of the officers and men of his 
army. I 

On April 26th, the rolls of General Johnston's army in 
North Carolina, showed a force, present and absent, of 
more than 100,000 men ; but, owing to absentees who were 
sick, wounded, or had deserted, or who had recently be- 
come disheartened and abandoned their colors, his force 
present was reported at about 24,000 men. The parol- 
ing officers reported that final papers were issued to 
39,012 men. 



XXVIII 

RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 

The surrender of Johnston's army, following so soon 
after the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee's 
aiTiiy, was generally accepted as the end of organized 
hostilities by the Confederate armies. 

General Sherman designated the four army corps, com- 
posing his old army, as the first troops to commence the 
homeward march. In special field orders, dated at 
Raleigh, North Carolina, April 27, 1865, General Howard 
was directed to conduct the Araiy of the Tennessee, and 
General Slocum the Army of Georgia, to Richmond, Vir- 
ginia, by easy marches, via Louisburg, Shady Grove, 
Lawrenceville, Warrenton, and Petersburg. 

The Third Division of the 15th Araiy Corps was brok- 
en up, before leaving Raleigh, and the regiments as 
signed to the other divisions of the corps. The 93rd Illi- 
nois and the 4th Minnesota were assigned to the First 
Brigade and the 26th Iowa was transferred from the 
First Brigade to the Third Brigade of the First Division, 
15th Army Corps. This made the Third Brigade an ex- 
clusive Iowa organization, composed of the follo^ving 
regiments: 4th, 9th, 25th, 26th, 30th, and 31st Iowa 
regiments, commanded by Colonel George A. Stone of 
the 25th Iowa Volunteers. 

It would have been impossible for General Sherman to 
have accomplished the great feats at campaigning, that 
he did, had the popular idea created in the north by 
newspaper correspondents of the discipline in his army 

459 



460 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

been true. There was not much of tinsel in the army, 
but more of the substantial, a sturdy type of practical 
military methods and forms adapted to the severe ex- 
igencies of the service. There was cultivated in the men 
a manly and independent nature; the drills gave easy 
carriage and grace ; forms and routine gave the business 
elements of punctuality; frequent inspections compelled 
neatness; and the observance of military etiquette culti- 
vated polished and refined manners, throughout the army. 

Had the orders to march been other than homeward, 
the troops would have been sorry to abandon the pleasant 
camps established about the city of Raleigh; but, under 
the circumstances, they were received with demonstra- 
tions of great joy. On April 29th, the First Division left 
its camps at 7 a. m., and marched out on the Lewisburg 
road, crossed the Neuse River on the pontoons and 
camped at Rogers 'Cross-Roads, one mile from the river; 
and 12 miles from the starting point. Sunday, April 
30th, the different commands mustered for pay during 
the forenoon, and the w^hole army remained in camp for 
the day. The troops generally were impatient at the de- 
lay and the desire of all was to push forward. 

Each army corps column was assigned to a separate 
road and route of march, to be conducted with particu- 
lar reference to the convenience and comfort of the 
troops. Stringent orders were published prohibiting 
foraging in the country, or straggling out of ranks, while 
on the march. Any marauding or pillaging of houses 
was to be summarily and severely punished. Besides 
the morning and evening roll-calls, the roll was to be 
called at every reg-ular halt of the column during the 
march, and every absentee not properly accounted for 
was to be punished. 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 461 

It was the known desire of General Sherman, as well 
as of every officer and enlisted man, having the honor of 
the army at heart, to make the march from Raleigh to 
Richmond a model one for propriety of conduct, showing 
to the inhabitants en route that when the war ended civil 
laws and government would be obeyed and private prop- 
erty and personal rights respected with jealous care. 
The men of the army were proud of its record in war, 
and every officer and man desired to keep it unsullied in 
peace, while on the homeward march. 

Monday, May 1, 1865, the First Division broke camp 
at daylight, crossed the Tar River at one p. m., on the 
pontoon bridge and after marching 25 miles, went into 
camp at 4 p. m. on the north bank of Cypress Creek. 
May 2nd, camps were struck again at daylight and the 
division moved out on the Halifax road, crossed Sandy 
Creek, passed through Shady Grove and camped on Fish- 
ing Creek, at 4 p. m. The distance marched during the 
day was 24 miles. 

North from Raleigh the column passed through a very 
fine region of country, greatly in contrast to the low 
lands of South Carolina and the country about the Cape 
Fear River. The planters lived in fine well kept build- 
ings; tobacco took the place of cotton as the staple pro- 
duct, and, instead of cotton gins, there were huge tobacco 
houses and curing sheds. 

On May 3rd, the division broke camp at 4:30 a. m., 
and marched 22 miles in a northerly direction, crossing 
the Roanoke Valley Railroad, mid-way between the Ma- 
con and Littleton depots, and halted for camp at 3 p. m., 
on the south bank of the Roanoke River along with the 
other two divisions of the 15th Corps. The Roanoke is 
the largest river in the South, flo^ving to the Atlantic 



462 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

coast, and is noted for the beauty of scenery along its 
banks. 

May 4th, the pontoon bridge, 280 yards long, was laid 
across the Roanoke River at Robinson's Ferry, and Gen- 
eral Corse's Fourth Division commenced crossing at 10 a. 
m., followed by the Second Division at 12 :30 p. m., and the 
First Division at 3:30 p. m., all marching out on the 
Lawrenceville road. The rear of the column reached 
camp at 9 p. m. The distance traveled during the day 
was 16 miles. The Sixth Iowa camped on Virginia soil, 
for the first time. 

On May 5th, the division broke camp at the Taber- 
nacle Church at 4:30 a. m., marched to Pendleton's 
bridge, crossed the Meherrin River, following in the rear 
of General Hazen's Second Division, and camped at 5 
p. m., on Spencer's plantation at Wyatt's crossing over 
the Nottoway River. The distance traveled by the whole 
corps was 26 miles. All the troops went into camp very 
tired, on account of the long distance marched and be- 
cause of the heavy roads, caused by a light rainstonn 
during the afternoon. On May 6th, the troops broke 
camp at 5 a. m., crossed the Nottoway River, marched 21 
miles and camped on Stony Creek. May 7th, the First 
Division left the camp on Stony Creek at daylight and 
marched on country roads leading in the direction of 
Petersburg. Camp was pitched at 3 p. m., just south of 
the city, after a distance of 20 miles had been marched. 

The route of march during the day had been over his- 
toric battlefields along the Weldon Railroad south of 
Petersburg. The country was mostly level and was cov- 
ered with a thick growth of pine timber. At Reems' 
Station, where a hard battle had been fought in July, 
1864, skulls and the bleached bones of men killed in the 



RALEIGH TO AVASHINGTON 463 

action were seen strewn on the ground in the pine woods. 

The Army of the Potomac's abandoned winter quar- 
ters, occupied by it during the siege, and the evacuated 
fortifications — Union and Confederate — were all ob- 
jects of great interest to the men of Sherman's army. 
The log houses, built and occupied by the 5th Army 
Corps, were as pretty and comfortable as a factory vil- 
lage. The fortifications about the city were not as for- 
midable as the famed siege had led the western troops 
to anticipate. 

The 15th Army Corps remained in camp on the 8th, 
while the 17th Corps marched through the city and was 
reviewed by General Howard, General Blair, commanding 
the corps, and by many distinguished officers, from the 
Army of the Potomac. The men generally embraced the 
opportunity, afforded by the halt, to visit historic scenes 
in and about the city. Northern merchants and traders 
had flocked to the captured cities with their goods and 
wares, giving to the battle-scarred to^vn the appearance 
of great commercial activity. Hundreds of Confederate 
soldiers were seen lounging about the streets and depots, 
looking discouraged and forlorn in their stranded con- 
dition. Some of the officers wore good clothes, but gen- 
erally they were all ragged and dirty. 

May 9th, at 7 a. m., the First Division broke camp and 
led the 15th Corps column, followed by the Fourth and 
Second divisions, in that order, mth General Logan in 
command. The column was reviewed by General How- 
ard, while it was passing through the city. The column 
crossed the Appomattox River on the pontoons, marched 
out on the Petersburg and Richmond pike, crossed Old 
Town and Swift creeks, and halted for camp at 2 p. m., 
on Proctor's Creek, having traveled 12 miles. 



464 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

Fort Darling, at Drewry's Bluff, on the James E-iver, 
the battlefield where General Butler's army was defeat- 
ed by General Beauregard in July, 1864, and the fortifica- 
tions built and fought in by both armies were all criti- 
cally inspected by the veterans of Corinth, Vicksburg, 
Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Savannah. 

At 5 :30 a. m., May 10th, the 15th Corps continued the 
march 9 miles to the vicinity of Manchester, camping at 
10 a. m., on French's plantation overlooking the James 
Eiver and in plain sight of the city of Richmond. On 
May 11th, all active operations were suspended and the 
troops enjoyed a day of much needed rest, after the tour 
of unparalleled marching, from Raleigh to Richmond. 

Added to the enjoyment of the pleasant weather of 
May, the most fascinating month of the year, were the 
many interesting points and places to be seen about the 
locality, which had been made historic by the operations 
of two great armies, during four years of incessant war. 
The sojourn of the army on the banks of the James River 
marked a rare opportunity for viewing the great beauty 
of an abounding natural scenery, along with the wreck, 
relics, and ruin of cruel war. 

The river was filled with steam and sail craft, both 
great and small, coming up from the coast, laden with 
all kinds and sorts of merchandise and army stores. 
The little city of Manchester, on the south side of the 
river opposite the city of Richmond, suddenly, on the 
arrival of Sherman's army, became a very busy mart for 
trade in sutler goods. The uniform extortionate prices 
maintained for their goods was the chief characteristic 
among the small traders. 

On the night of May 12th, a severe electrical storm 
passed over the camps, during which Private Tobias 
Ulrick, Company I, and two other men belonging to other 



I 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 465 

regiments were killed by lightning, while in the field 
hospital. Several other patients were severely injured 
by the same stroke. The hospital tent had been pitched 
under a large oak tree, where it would have the benefit 
of the shade during the daytime, and it was downi the 
huge trunk of this tree that the fatal element descended 
to the bunks of the sick soldiers. 

The corps still remaining in camp, ofiicers and men 
were allowed to visit the many points of interest in and 
about the city of Richmond, including Belle Island and 
Libby prisons, the burnt district in the city, the State 
capitol buildings, and the remaining hotels and churches. 
The town was swarming with paroled Confederate soldiers 
and colored refugees, nearly all of whom were stranded 
and without means to procure food or transportation 
to their homes. Army rations were issued to the desti- 
tute citizens and soldiers, in quantity and kind the same 
as issued to the Union troops, so that all who came under 
the protecting folds of the flag were fed alike. 

During the evening the troops gathered at corps head- 
quarters, where an impromptu meeting was organized 
and rousing speeches were made by General Logan and 
other soldiers of the command, none of which was more 
enthusiastically received than the scholarly and patriotic 
address delivered by Lieutenant-Colonel William H- 
Clune of the Sixth Iowa. 

General Sherman rejoined the army at Manchester, 
coming from Raleigh via the coast steamers. He at once 
issued orders for resuming the march northward, as 
follows : the left wing, General Slocum commanding, was 
to cross the James River on the pontoon, pass through 
Richmond, Warrenton Junction, Centerville, Fairfax 
Court House, and on to Alexandria, in the vicinity of 
Washington. The right wing. General Howard com- 



466 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

manding", was to follow at leisure, crossing the James 
Eiver on the pontoon, passing through Richmond, Bowl- 
ing Green, Fredericksburg, Stafford Court House, and 
Dumfries, to a camp near Alexandria, a distance of 125 
miles. 

May 13th, the 15th Corps broke camp on Manchester 
heights, passed through Manchester, crossed the James 
River on the pontoons, and passed through the city of 
Richmond. The ill temper engendered at Raleigh was 
again manifested by the army passing through the city 
without making any display or demonstration in honor 
of the military and ci\^l officials then in the city. The 
column was conducted through the principal streets at 
route step in the same manner that it marched through 
the pine woods of Georgia and the Carolinas, except that 
each regiment gave the marching salute at the Washing- 
ton statue, in the capitol grounds. The camp was made 
at 6 p. m., ten miles north of Richmond, on Wyatt's plan- 
tation in the Chickahominy River bottom. 

May 14th, at 5 a. m., the First Division broke camp, 
took up the line of march in the corps column following 
the Second Division, crossed the Chickahomin}' River on 
the pontoons, and established camp at Hanover Court 
House, at 12 o'clock noon, having marched 9 miles. 

As the column advanced through historic places and 
localities, where some of the great battles of the war had 
been fought, great interest was taken by the officers and 
men in the geographical lay of the country about the 
positions which had been held by the contending forces. 
The character of the fortifications which had been erect- 
ed was critically inspected by the men who had been en- 
gaged at battling and fortifying from Missouri to the 
capital city of North Carolina. 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 467 

That an unscarred tree or growing twig could be found 
in the swamp region of the sluggish Chickahominy was 
hardly to be expected; but it was a surprise to all that 
only slight scars remained of the terrific conflicts that 
occurred there in 1862 and 1864. Some of the trees 
showed marks of bullets and shells, but the most of them 
had been cut out by relic hunters. The fanners there- 
about were seemingly carrying on their peaceful pur- 
suits, as of old, not having suffered loss and damage to 
property as compared with some other localities. 

May 15th, the troops broke camp at 6 a. m., and, 
marching in the center of the corps column, crossed the 
Panunkey Elver on the pontoons, the Mattapony Eiver 
at Eeedy Mills, and camped near Bowling Green, on the 
plantation of Mr. De Jamett. The distance traveled 
during the day was 22 miles. 

On May 16th, at 4:30 a. m., the Sixth Iowa led the 
corps column 25 miles on the direct Fredericksburg road ; 
passing through Bowling Green and camping at 3 p. m., 
on the north bank of the Massaponax Eiver — five miles 
from Fredericksburg. 

May 17th, the 15th Army Coiids marched out from the 
night bivouac at an early hour and moved up the valley 
of the Eappahannock Eiver, between the heights and 
the river, to the city of Fredericksburg. Here the column 
crossed to the north side on the pontoons laid in the 
river near tlie stone piers of the burned railroad bridge, 
passed by the Stafford Court House, and camped on the 
Ossian Creek, at 5 p. m., having marched 19 miles. Ow- 
ing to the intense heat during the day and the suffocating 
dust, several men marching in the column were pros- 
trated mth sunstroke. 

The old Virginia town of Fredericksburg, nestled do^vn 



31 



468 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

in the valley, on the banks of the river and in the shadow 
of Marye's Heights, as viewed from the Stafford hills on 
the north side, formed a landscape of rare and jjictur- 
esque loveliness. The town had been almost in ruins in 
December, 1862, when General Burnside had it bom- 
barded for a whole day mth four hundred gTins, posted 
on the Stafford hills. It was there, in that beautiful 
valley, that the Army of the Potomac, with 100,000 men, 
met with crushing defeat, so that it was properly named 
'' Burnside 's Slaughter Pen". The bleaching bones of 
men and animals, killed in the battle, were seen scattered 
up and do^vTi the valley, in the fields and in the woods, 
where the battle had raged with the greatest fury and 
destiniction of life. 

At 4:30 a. m.. May 18th, the column moved out on the 
road leading toward Alexandria, crossed the Aquia Creek 
on the pontoons not far from the Potomac River, passed 
through the village of Dumfries, crossed the Occoquan 
River, and camped one mile beyond the stream late in the 
evening. The distance marched during the day was 20 
miles. A heavy downpour of rain set in early in the 
evening and continued through the night, when every- 
body got thoroughly wet. 

May 19th, at 4 a. m., the column moved out in the rain 
and marched to Pohick Church, where General Woods 
took advantage of the privilege granted in orders and 
marched the men of his division through the enclosure 
around Mount Vernon grounds, passing by the buildings 
and directly in front of the tomb of Washington, where 
each regiment came to "shoulder arms" and the colors 
saluted, while passing. It was six miles out of the regu- 
lar route of the day's march for the men of the First 
Division, 15th Army Corps, to visit the home and sacred 
burial place of Washington, but none regretted the ex- 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 469 

tra marching-. Having marched 18 miles, the division 
camped at night with the rest of the corps, three miles out 
from Alexandria. 

On May 20th, the commands all remained in camp dur- 
ing the day. General Sherman had traveled a part of the 
distance, coming up from Richmond, with each one of the 
corps columns of his army, visiting all the principal bat- 
tlefields en route and had pitched his headquarters camp 
three miles north of Alexandria. On the evening of May 
19th, he sent a note to President Andrew Johnson, re- 
porting the arrival of his army, and saying: 

I have marched from Richmond slowly on purpose to spare 
the men and by reason of the very hot weather, but I can as- 
sure you all are in good order and condition for serenade, re- 
views, or fighting. 

He also reported his arrival to General John A. Raw- 
lins, General Grant's Chief of Staff. Having seen the 
orders for the grand review in the newspapers in ad- 
vance of receiving them officially, he jocularly wrote in 
his note to the General : 

I am old fashioned and prefer to see orders through some 
other channel, but if that be the new fashion, so be it. I will 
be all ready by Wednesday, though in the rough. Troops have 
not been paid for eight or ten months, and clothing may be bad, 
but a better set of legs and arms cannot be displayed on this 
continent. Send me all orders and letters you may have for me, 
and let some one newspaper know that the vandal Sherman is 
encamped near the canal bridge halfway between the Long 
Bridge and Alexandria to the west of the road, where his friends, 
if any, can find him. Though in disgrace he is untamed and 
unconquered. 

This note truly reflected the spirit and temper of the 
men in his army. 
May 21st, the reveille was sounded at 2:30 a. m., and 



470 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the First Division marched through old Alexandria at a] 
very early hour, a distance of five miles to a designated 
camping ground above town, where the Sixth Iowa and 
the other regiments of the Second Brigade were en- 
camped on the bank of the Potomac River, between the 
wagon road leading up to the Long Bridge and the river. 
The day was made disagreeable by a steady downpour 
of rain, which continued into the night. All kinds of 
steam and sail craft covered the Potomac Eiver, from 
the small fish and vegetable boats up to the large ocean 
going steamers and gun-boats. 

The quaint little old Virginia town of Alexandria was 
suddenly expanded and made quite a business mart for 
merchants and traders and the distribution of large 
quantities of army supplies, by the assembling of the 
great armies in its \icinity. To again see the inhabi- 
tants of a town engaged in all the peaceful pursuits of 
trade and commerce was a very gratifying sight to the 
men, who had witnessed nothing but the destruction of 
business and property for four long years of war. On 
May 22nd, a supply of new clothing was issued to the 
regiments, but not enough to make a complete suit for 
each man. The best of the old uniforms was selected 
out and washed, by the men, in the Potomac River, and 
used to complete the preparations for the grand review. 

General Grant issued orders for a grand review of the 
Army of the Potomac, the Ninth Army Corps, and Gen- 
eral Sheridan's cavalry, to be held in Washington City on 
Tuesday, May 23rd, commanded by Major-General 
George G. Meade and the Army of the Tennessee and 
the Army of Georgia, on Wednesday, May 24th, com- 
manded by Major-General William T. Sherman. During 
the afternoon, the 9th Corps passed through Alexandria 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 471 

and the camps along the route, going into position at the 
south end of Long Bridge, preparatory for the review 
next day. 

May 23rd, the First Division broke camp at an early 
hour and was massed in position at the south end of Long 
Bridge, opposite to the city, where the troops of the 2nd 
and 5th army corps were then passing over the Potomac 
River on the bridge to the review in the city. 

A considerable number of the men of the Sixth Iowa, 
with like numbers from the other regiments of the bri- 
gade, fell in with the marching troops and passed over 
the bridge to the city, where they witnessed the grand 
spectacle of the Army of the Potomac, marching in re- 
view along Pennsylvania Avenue, occupying the entire 
day in passing. The spirit of rivalry between the eastern 
and western armies ran high, and chaffing by the men was 
incessant; but underneath it all, the men were imbued 
with soldierly pride and patriotic impulse, to see each 
other do their part well. 

Late in the evening of the 23rd of May, 1865, the First 
Division crossed the river and encamped about the capitol 
grounds, the distance marched being 7 miles. 

On Wednesday, May 24, 1865, at break of day, the col- 
umns of Sherman's army commenced mo\TLng into their 
designated positions for the march through the capital 
city and to pass in grand review before the President, 
the Lieutenant-General, members of the Cabinet, heads 
of military and civil departments, governors of States, 
members of Congress, the Diplomatic Corps, and thou- 
sands upon thousands of citizens assembled from all sec- 
tions of the country to witness the grand ceremony. 

The 15th Army Corps, Major-General John A. Logan 
commanding, formed on Mandand Avenue in the follow- 



472 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 



ing order: First Division, Major-General Charles R 
Woods conunanding ; Second Division, Major-General W 
B. Hazen commanding; Fourth Division, Major-General 
John M. Corse commanding; Artillery Brigade, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel William H, Ross commanding. The 
strength in line was 15,000 men and four batteries of ar- 
tillery of four guns each. 

The First Division took up its position in the street at 
the north entrance to the capitol grounds formed in the 
following order: First Brigade, Brigadier-General 
William B. Woods commanding; Second Brigade, Brig- 
adier-General Robert F. Catterson commanding; Third 
Brigade, Brigadier-General George A. Stone command- 
ing. The strength was 5000 men in ranks. The divi- 
sion held the position at the head of the grand column of 
review. 

The troops were formed in column of companies closed 
in mass, with short intervals between regiments, brigades, 
and divisions. Companies were equalized, as were the 
battalions. The artillery formed in rear of the infantry, 
battery front. During the interval, while the forma- 
tions were being made, the capitol grounds were made a 
rendezvous for aU the general officers accompanied by a 
full retinue of staff officers, all superbly mounted and 
presenting an array of military splendor probably not 
witnessed more than once in a century. General Sher- 
man looked superb, and, as he sat on his horse, was peer- 
less in the eyes of his soldiers. 

It was while waiting in the capitol grounds that his 
daughter appeared with a large wreath of beautiful flow- 
ers, which she placed on his horse's neck, a touching tri- 
bute by a charming daughter for a noble father. The 
act was heartily applauded by all who witnessed it and 



] 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 473 

the father made graceful and loving acknowledgment 
to the daughter, then raising his hat in salute to the men, 
he said, ''This is the nice part of soldiering". 

General Sherman's young son was noticed wearing 
the 15th Army Coiids badge, and, asked why he wore that 
particular one, he answered: "I want to belong to the 
best corps in the army, and papa says the 15th Army 
Corps is the best body of soldiers in the world". 

The general officers, regimental commanders, and regi- 
mental colors were all decorated with beautiful floral 
wreaths — designed and presented by friends of the dif- 
ferent commands. Great interest had been excited, by 
the stories told in the newspapers, about the "Bum- 
mers ' ', a title given to the mounted foragers, and all the 
assembled thousands were anxious to see them. It took 
much explanation, on the part of the troops, to convince 
them that the neat and gentlemanly soldiers there in their 
presence were the real "Bummers", the only change 
being that they were dismounted and dressed up for the 
great ceremonial occasion. 

At precisely 9 o'clock a. m., a signal gun was fired by 
the leading battery, whereupon the head of the column 
wheeled into Pennsylvania Avenue at the foot of the capi- 
tol hill, and the army marched in review through Wash- 
ington City in the following order: Major-General Wil- 
liam T. Sherman, accompanied by his staff and a large 
escort of cavalry, formed in sections; Major-General 0. 
0. Howard, with his staff and escort; the First Eegiment 
of Michigan Engineers and the First Eegiment of Mis- 
souri Engineers ; the Fifteenth Army Corps, Major-Gen- 
eral John A. Logan commanding; the Seventeenth Army 
Corps, Major-General Frank P. Blair commanding; 
the Army of Georgia, Major-General Henry W. Slocum 



474 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

commanding; the Twentieth Army Corps, Major-Gen- 
eral Joseph A. Mower commanding; and the Fourteenth 
Army Corps, Major-General Jefferson C. Davis com- 
manding. The total strength was about 60,000 men. 

The troops were supplied with two days rations in 
haversacks, and marched without knapsacks. Six am- 
bulances, three abreast, followed each brigade. The pio- 
neer corps of each division marched ^\ith the same front 
and formation as the infantry, with axes and spades at 
right-shoulder shift. Drum and fife corps, massed at 
the head of each brigade, wheeled out of column opposite 
the reviewing stand, and played while their commands 
passed. Brass bands continued in the column and 
played, one at a time, in each division, duiing the march. 
Corps and division connnanders after passing the re- 
viewing officer. President Johnson, dismounted, and, ac- 
companied by one staff officer, took position on the re- 
viemng stand near the commander of the army, during 
the period their command was passing, then rejoined 
their troops. 

The colors of each regiment and detachment were un- 
furled during the entire march, and, on passing the re- 
viewing officer, made the regulation salute. The troops 
marched in cadence step, at shoulder arms mth bayonets 
fixed, to the United States Treasury Building, where 
the guns were brought to right shoulder shift. The 
column moved down Pennsylvania Avenue, past the re- 
vie^\ing stand in front of the White House, and thence 
to the bivouacs selected, by the most convenient routes of 
march. 

Never before had the city contained such an immense 
crowd of people, drawn from every section throughout 
the northern States, to witness the grand military pag- 



RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON 475 

eant of the returning soldiers. The streets on the line 
of march had been packed with crowds of anxious human- 
ity from early morning. Public and private buildings, 
stands for State delegations, and huge banners stretch- 
ing across the streets, were all inscribed with words of 
welcome or mth patriotic mottoes. Banners, naming 
the principal battles, were displayed, thus : ' * Donelson ' ', 
''Shiloh", ''Corinth", "Vicksburg", "Lookout Moun- 
tain", "Missionar\^ Ridge", "Atlanta", "Savannah", 
"Columbia", and "Raleigh". The greeting tendered 
to General Sherman and his army was a continuous 
demonstration of cheering and waving of flags. Amid 
the roar of artillery, the playing bands, and shouts of the 
great multitude, the veteran troops — eveiy man with 
head erect and proud as his commanding general — 
marched in perfect alignment, elbow to elbow, tramp! 
tramp! tramp! — until the reviewing stand was passed, 
when route step was taken and the march made in a 
leisurely manner to the camp at Piney Wood Hotel, near 
the race track, north of the city. 

The Sixth Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Clune 
commanding, mth 219 men, rank and file, present 
marched in the column of the Second Brigade, formed 
in column of divisions closed in mass, reducing the space 
occupied by the command to ven^ small proportions. 
Eveiy one who lived to participate in that last grand 
ceremony will never forget the sensations of patriotic 
pride he enjoyed, while witnessing the marching columns 
of the 15th Amiy Corps, that filled the avenue, and. 
General Sherman at the head of the column, turning at 
the Treasury Building, thence sweeping up the broad 
street to the reviewing stand, erected on the AVhite House 
grounds, where they were greeted by the President, Gen- 



476 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

eral Grant,, and all the distinguished officers of the gov- 
ernment, civil and military. There was no position in 
that column so humble but that it was filled by a hero. 

Iowa was conspicuous in the column, being represented 
in the First Division, 15th Army Corps, by the Fourth, 
Sixth, Ninth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, Thirtieth, and 
Thirty-first regiments of infantry; in the Second Di- 
vision, by the Tenth and Seventeenth regiments of in- 
fantry; in the Fourth Division, by General Corse com- 
manding the division, and by the Second, Seventh, and 
Thirty-ninth regiments of infantry; in the 17th Army 
Corps, by the Crocker Brigade, composed of the Eleventh, 
Tliirteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth regiments of infan- 
try. Each one of these regiments was heartily greeted 
by the people occupying the Iowa stand at the south end 
of the Treasury Building. 

It was late in the afternoon when the last command of 
the 14th Corps had passed, more than six hours being re- 
quired for the whole column to pass the reviewing stand. 
Never before nor since has there been witnessed in this 
country such a grand and imposing military demonstra- 
tion, as that made by the armies of General Meade and 
General Sherman in the capital city in May, 1865. 



XXIX 

HOMEWARD MARCH: MUSTER OUT 

The next day after the review a refreshing rain set in 
and continued for twenty-four hours cooling the heated 
atmosphere and laying the stifling dust. The troops 
were encamped in regular order in camps estabhshed in a 
pleasant suburb of the capital city; the routine of camp 
duties was taken under strict police order, which was 
faithfully enforced by heavy details for camp and patrol 
guards. 

All field and staff officers, and company officers, with 
their clerks, were at once busily engaged at making up 
the long delayed quartermaster and ordnance returns, 
reports of campaigns, and the muster and payrolls for 
their commands. The opportunity and convenience for 
performing such necessary clerical duties had been very 
limited during the past year, and many of the officers 
were woefully in arrears with their property and ord- 
nance returns. 

There was a fixed and justified belief in the minds of 
the men in Sherman's army that a wanton injustice had 
been done the commander of the army by officials of the 
government high in authority, led by General Halleck 
and the Honorable E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, 
concerning the negotiations for the surrender of John- 
ston's army at Raleigh, North Carolina. The men, like 
their commander, felt the sting of humiliation inflicted 
by the unjust aspersions and insult, cast upon the good 
name and character of the commander and the araiy, and 

477 



478 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

were quick to resent any chaffing indulged in by soldiers 
from other commands. A few altercations of small con- 
sequence had occurred in the city, probably between 
tipsy soldiers, which were reported to the police and 
military authorities in the city. These reports being 
grossly magnified caused unofficial correspondence be- 
tween General Grant and his best trusted subordinate. 
General Sherman defended the good name and conduct 
of his men, as follows : 

I was on the streets until midnight, and assure yon I never 
saw more order and quiet prevailing. I had also, during yes- 
terday, ridden all through the camps and observed no signs of 
riot and drunkenness, and believe I may assure you that there 
is no danger whatever that the men we know so well, and have 
trusted so often, will be guilty of any acts of public impro- 
priety. 

Time's cooling influence and the logic of events have 
verified the truth, so often asserted at the time, that the 
great generals and leaders of the armies, on both sides, 
were honest, unselfish soldiers, imbued with the highest 
ideals of true patriotism, truly loyal to the principles of 
an American Republic, and devoted to the best interest 
and welfare of all the people in all the land. They were 
safer and better qualified to dictate the terms and condi- 
tions for peace, than were those who assumed that ex- 
clusive prerogative — men who had trained all their 
lives as politicians, many of whom were influenced in 
their official acts solely by selfish gain and political pre- 
ferment. The acts and deportment of Grant and Lee, 
and Sherman and Johnston, in the closing scenes of the 
war, mil be honored and revered by a nation of patriotic 
and united people, so long as honesty and patriotism, 
moral courage and Christian devotion are recognized as 
the highest qualities of human character. 



HOMEWARD MAECH 4''9 

Orders were soon published directing tlie immediate 
muster out of all troops in the command, whose term ot 
service would expire during the next thirty or sMty days, 
and ordering the rest of the army to Louisville, Kentucky, 
so that nothing else occurred on account of "Sherman s 
Bummers" to disturb the peaceful serenity of the capital 
city and its police regulations. 

Each day a limited number of passes was granted to 
the officers and men of each regiment, to visit the city and 
view the government buildings, departments, and in- 
stitutions. These passes had to be countersigned at all 
the headquarters, from the regiment to the AiW of the 
Tennessee, and then approved at the provost headquai- 
ters and War Department, in the city. 

Many changes in commanders occurred while at Wash- 
ington, among them being the assignment of General Lo- 
gan to the command of the Army ot the Tennessee, and 
General Hazen to the command of the 15th Army Corps 
Pursuant to General Orders 94, Ad^u ant-Genera s 
Office, dated May 15, 1865, enlisted men of the 25th and 
30th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, whose terms of service 
would expire subsequent to October 1 1865 were, on 
May 30, 1865, transferred to the Sixth Iowa Veteran In- 
fantry Volunteers. * «„ ir,ti, Avmv 
On May 31st, the First Division of the 15th Army 
Corps broke camp at 5 o'clock a. m., and marched down 
aZgh the city in the order of the First, Second and 
ThM brigades, to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad de- 
pot, where it boarded the cars, pursuant to the orders for 
the Army of the Tennessee to proceed to LouisviUe Ken- 
tucky. The trains pulled out of the depot with the Sec- 
on7Brigade at 10 a. m., made up entirely of freight and 
stock cars, which, when loaded, were packed inside and 
on top mth men, affording very cramped and uncomtort- 



480 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

able quarters, but far better than floundering through 
the swamps and over the corduroy roads in South Caro- 
lina. 

The trip across the Allegheny Mountains at that par- 
ticular season of the year, when all the picturesque 
scenery of that mountain region was decked in its most 
charming beauty, was highly interesting, pleasurable, 
and greatly enjoyed by all. Every foot of the railroad 
was then historic ground, having been destroyed by both 
armies and rebuilt several times, and the principal towns 
en route — Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, Cumberland, 
Grafton, and Piedmont — were all points of interest, for 
they had been the scene of stirring events during the pro- 
gress of the war. 

June 2nd, at 10 a. m., the trains arrived with the com- 
mand at the depot in Parkersburg, where the troops left 
the cars, marched through the city to the levee on the 
Ohio River, where the Sixth Iowa was embarked on board 
the little steamer ''Navigator". The whole fleet of 
steamers carrying 7000 men, the first installment of Sher- 
man's army on its homeward march, cast loose and start- 
ed down the river just as the sun was going down behind 
the rugged hills, on the Ohio shore. Blennerhassett's 
Island, associated with tragic events in the early history 
of the locality, was passed in the twilight of the evening, 
after which the men spread their blankets on the decks 
of the smooth gliding steamer, where, in pleasant dreams, 
they forgot the long and tiresome ride, in the box-cars, 
over the mountains. The steamers pursued their wind- 
ing course down the river during the night and at the 
dawn of a beautiful day the men were up to enjoy the 
scenery along the shores of the prettiest river in Ameri- 
ca. 



HOMEWARD MAECH 481 



' Every house in sight from the river displayed flags 
and the" people, assembled along the shores of the river 
cheered the boats as they passed by. Large crowds of 
people were gathered at the towns, where salutes were 
fired, bands played, and the whole populace cheered and 
shouted a welcome to the returning army, the men who 
had cut through and encompassed the Confederacy. 

Many exciting and pleasing incidents occurred durmg 
the passage, but none that elicited such hearty cheers 
from the men as three young women, who appeared on 
the levee at an Ohio hamlet, dressed to represent the 
colors, red, white, and blue. The first appeared and took 
a position in plain view attired entirely m red, the second 
in white, and the third in blue, and, standing with locked 
arms, they presented a living picture of patriotism The 
Snt aroused the enthusiasm of the men to the highest 

'^The "Navigator", with the rest of the thirty steamers 
composing the fleet, kept its place in the column each 
boat following the other in line at ^^ort interval .pre- 
serving the same order as the regiments marching m 

"""Tre fleet arrived at the city of Cincinnati at 11 :50 p. m., 
where the boats landed for a short time an^ then pro- 
ceeded down the river to the city of Louisville, Kentucky. 
The roops disembarked during the day and at evening^n^ 
camped above the city near the water-works ^ot m^J 
effort was made at fixing up a camp, but the great and 
absorbing question put by everyone, was. When will 
the troops be mustered out?" , i. +i,^ 

A flutter of excitement was <--t^*™"S'^°"* *: 

camps by a seemingly well -f -^-^tTxa? to P t 
Army of the Tennessee would be sent to Texas to pre 



482 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

sei^e order in that turbulent section, and to have an eye^ 
on the French armj^ in Old Mexico. Much as the move-' 
ment promised of excitement and adventure, scarcely as 
man expressed a desire to go or to remain in the service. 

After campaigning for more than a year through the 
South and participating in the most stirring events of the 
war, the men of the Sixth Iowa were back again in the 
thrifty city of Louisville, where they had been in May, 
1864, en route to the front, after having spent thirty days 
at home on veteran furlough. 

In anticipation of the coming of Sherman's army to 
camp in and about the city, dealers in all sorts of goods 
rushed in and added to the resident merchants and trad- 
ers, so that the town was a bazaar of beauty and traffic. 
All places of amusement were open, with bills advertis- 
ing the best talent in the countr}^, and the soldiers went 
nightly and packed the houses. Visitors by the thousand 
flocked to the city, from far and near, to meet their rela- 
tives and friends in the army. 

The army paymaster was soon abroad in the camps, 
and, on June 13th, the Sixth Iowa received six months 
pay. The weather was excessively hot, the thermome- 
ter registering from 90 to 101 degrees during the month 
of June, which was only relieved by refreshing rains at 
the end of the month. On June 30th, the troops were 
mustered for pay for the months of May and June, and 
the rolls were made up to date. The muster being 
passed many of the men took ''French leave" and visited 
their homes, while the army was lying idle in camp. 

Despite the delays and frequent disappointments, on 
July 8th, orders were read on parade for the immediate 
muster out of the veterans in the Army of the Tennessee, 
to the inexpressible delight of all. The clerical work of 



HOMEWARD MARCH 483 

making up the final property and ordnance returns, and 
the muster out rolls was entered into mth spirit and en- 
ergy by officers and detailed clerks. The fact that they 
were the last and final reports to be made inspired more 
than the usual vigor in the prosecution of the work. 

July 17th was hailed as the fourth anniversary of the 
regiment's muster into the service, but was not celebrat- 
ed by any organized demonstration in the command. It 
was, however, adopted as an opportune time for a re- 
counting of the services performed, the scenes and in- 
cidents, the long and exhausting campaigns, the dreary 
winter camps, and the many battles and skirmishes, par- 
ticipated in during the four years that had elapsed since 
the muster into service at Burlington, Iowa. 

With pleasant anticipations of an early departure for 
home, officers and men would gather about the campfires 
at evening, where war songs were sung, reminiscences of 
pleasures and hardships related. Stories were told of 
the early service at Athens on the Des Moines River, 
where Colonel McDowell, with parental affection for the 
men, directed them to take off their shoes and socks be- 
fore wading the river at the shallow ford, mth the enemy 
in plain view on the hills in Missouri. There were re- 
called the pleasant days spent in La Fayette Park at St. 
Louis ; the fruitless march to Spring-field, Missouri ; the 
cold and dreary camp at Sedalia, celebrated for sole- 
leather pies; the bleak camp on the river bluff at La 
Mine bridge, with the thermometer registering ten de- 
grees below zero; the morning prayers, with the men in 
line at daybreak; the winter march to Tipton and the 
camp pitched on the snow and frozen ground; and the 
glad farewell to Missouri and the trip to Shiloh on board 
the splendid river steamer ''Crescent City". The men 

32 



484 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

again lived through the battle of Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, and the march to Memphis and the long tour of 
garrison duty in that city; the "Yockney" campaign in 
North Mississippi; and the long winter camp at Grand 
Junction — the darkest period of the war. 

The story was again told of the campaigning in Miss- 
issippi, mounted on mules ; of the trip down the Missis- 
sippi River to Vicksburg, fighting in the Big Black River 
swamps and the assaults on the breastworks at Jackson ; 
of the journey back up the river and the fatig-uing march 
from Memphis to Chattanooga and the battle of Miss- 
ionary Ridge ; of the relief expedition to Knoxville, amid 
the frost and ice of winter; and of the return march in 
December to North Alabama and the winter camp in that 
pleasant region. 

The men recalled their reenlistment and veteran fur- 
lough to Iowa ; the Atlanta campaign with its one hundred 
and twenty days of incessant battle and skirmish; the 
chase back north after Hood; the march to the sea and 
the fierce little battle of Griswoldville, where the Second 
Brigade did the fighting and received the glory; fair 
Savannah and the trip on the old ocean ; the South Caro- 
lina swamps and the holocaust at Columbia ; Bentonville, 
Raleigh, and the surrender. They told of the march from 
Raleigh to Washington, through Richmond and over the 
great battlefields in Virginia; and of the grand review 
in Washington and the homeward march. All the events 
were rehearsed over and over, detailing hundreds of in- 
cidents then fresh in the memory of their young manhood, 
covering operations in a vast territory, and fraught with 
battle incidents, which, could they have been preserved 
in their modest simplicity and truthfulness, would make 
invaluable additions to the history of the war. 



HOMEWARD MARCH 485 

Farewell addresses, by army and corps commanders 
ivere read to the troops at parade and distributed about 
;he camps in printed form. The distinguishing feature 
)f these was the highly eulogistic and intensely patri- 
)tic sentiments expressed. Any veteran is entitled to be 
3roud to say, ''I belong to the Army of the Tennessee", 
ivhich was organized and commanded by the two great 
generals produced by the war — Grant and Sherman, 
rhis is shown by General Logan's Farewell Address, 
ivhich was as follows: 

Headquarters Army of the Tennessee, 
Louisville, Ky., July 13, 1865. 
Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee : 

The profound gratification I feel in being authorized to re- 
ease you from the onerous obligations of the camp, and return 
f^ou laden with laurels, to homes where warm hearts wait to 
;veleome you, is somewhat imbittered by the painful reflection 
;hat I am sundering the ties that trials have made true, time 
nade tender, sufferings made sacred, perils made proud, heroism 
nade honorable, and fame made forever fearless of the future, 
[t is no common occasion that demands the disbandment of a 
military organization, before the resistless power of which moun- 
tains bristling with bayonets have bowed, cities have surren- 
iered, and millions of brave men have been conquered. Al- 
though I have been but a short period your commander, we are 
Qot strangers ; affections have sprung up between us during the 
long years of doubt, gloom, and carnage, which we have passed 
through together, nurtured by common perils, sufferings, and 
sacrifices, and riveted by the memories of gallant comrades 
whose bones repose beneath the sod of a hundred battle-fields, 
which neither time nor distance will weaken or efface. The 
many marches that you have made, the dangers you have de- 
spised, the haughtiness you have humbled, the duties you have 
discharged, the glory you have gained, the destiny you have 
discovered for the country for whose cause you have con- 



486 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

quered, all recur at this moment in all the vividness that marked 
the scenes through which we have just passed. From the pens 
of the ablest historians of the land, daily are drifting out on the 
current of time, page upon page, volume upon volume of your 
heroic deeds, which, floating down to future generations, will 
inspire the student of history with admiration, the patriotic 
American with veneration for his ancestors, and the lover of 
republican liberty with gratitude for those who, in a fresh bap- 
tism of blood, reconsecrated the powers and energies of the 
Republic to the cause of constitutional freedom. 

Long may it be the happy fortune of each and every one of : 
you to live in the full fruition of the boundless blessings you 
have secured to the human race. Only he whose heart has been 
thrilled with admiration for your impetuous and unyielding va- 
lor in the thickest of the fight, can appreciate with what pride 
I recount the brilliant achievements which immortalize you, and 
enrich the pages of our National history. Passing by the earlier 
but not less signal triumphs of the war in which most of you 
participated and inscribed upon your banners such victories as 
Donelson and Shiloh, I recur to your campaigns, sieges, and 
victories that challenge the admiration of the world and elicit 
the unwilling applause of all Europe. Turning your backs 
upon the blood-bathed heights of Vicksburg, you launched into 
a region swarming with enemies, fighting your way and march- 
ing, without adequate supplies, to answer the cry for succor that 
came to you from the noble but beleaguered Army at Chattanoo- 
ga. Your steel next flashed among the mountains of the Ten- 
nessee, and your weary limbs found rest before the embattled 
heights of Missionary Ridge, and there with dauntless courage 
you breasted again the enemy's destructive fire, and shared with 
your comrades of the Army of the Cumberland the glories of a 
victory than which no soldiery can boast a prouder. In that 
unexampled campaign of vigilant and vigorous warfare from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta you freshened your laurels at Resaca, 
grappled with the enemy behind his works, hurling him back 
dismayed and broken. Pursuing him from thence, marking 



HOMEWARD MARCH 487 

your path by the graves of fallen comrades, you again tri- 
umphed over superior numbers at Dallas, fighting your way 
from there to Kenesaw Mountain and under the murderous ar- 
tillery that frowned from its rugged heights; with a tenacity 
and constancy that finds few parallels you labored, fought, and 
suffered through the boiling rays of a southern midsummer Sun, 
until at last you planted your colors upon its topmost heights. 
Again, on the 22nd of July, 1864, rendered memorable through 
all time for the terrible struggle you so heroically maintained 
under discouraging disasters and that saddest of all reflections, 
the loss of that exemplarj^ soldier and popular leader, the la- 
mented McPherson, your matchless courage turned defeat into 
a glorious %dctory. Ezra Chapel and Jonesboro added new 
lustre to a radiant record, the latter unbarring to you the proud 
Gate City of the South. The daring of a desperate foe in 
thrusting his legions northward exposed the country in your 
front, and, though rivers, swamps, and enemies opposed, you 
boldly surmounted every obstacle, beat down all opposition, and 
marched onward to the sea. Without any act to dim the bright- 
ness of your historic page, the world rang plaudits where your 
labors and struggles culminated at Savannah, and the old 
"Starry Banner" waved once more over the wall of one of our 
proudest cities of the seaboard. Scarce a breathing spell had 
passed when your colors faded from the coast, and your columns 
plunged into the swamps of the Carolinas. The suffering you 
endured, the labors you performed, and the successes you 
achieved in those morasses, deemed impassable, form a credi- 
table episode in the history of the war. Pocataligo, Sall^ahat- 
chie, Edisto, Branchville, Orangeburgh, Columbia, Bentonville, 
Charleston, and Raleigh are names that will ever be suggestive 
of the resistless sweep of your columns through the territory 
that cradled and nurtured, and from whence was sent forth on 
its mission of crimes, misery, and blood, the disturbing and dis- 
organizing spirits of secession and rebellion. 

The work for which you pledged your brave hearts and 
brawny arms to the Government of your fathers you have nobly 



488 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

performed. You are seen in the past, gathering through thd 
gloom that enveloped the land, rallying as the guardians of 
man's proudest heritage, forgetting the thread unwoven in the 
loom, quitting the anvil, abandoning the workshops, to vindicate 
the supremacy of the laws and the authority of the Constitution. 
Four years have you struggled in the bloodiest and most de- 
structive war that ever drenched the earth with human gore; 
step by step you have borne our standard, until to-day, over 
every fortress and arsenal that rebellion wrenched from us, and 
every city, town, and hamlet from the lakes to the gulf, and 
from ocean to ocean, proudly floats the "Starry Emblem" of 
our national unity and strength. Your rewards, my comrades, 
are the welcoming plaudits of a grateful people, the conscious- 
ness that, in saving the Republic, you have won for your coun- 
try renewed respect and power at home and abroad; that, in 
the [un] exampled era of growth and prosperity that dawns 
with peace, there attaches mightier wealth of pride and glory 
than ever before to that loved boast, "I am an American Citi- 
zen". In relinquishing the implements of war for those of 
peace, let your conduct, which was that of warriors in time of 
war, be that of peaceful citizens in time of peace. Let not the 
lustre of that brighter name you have won as soldiers be dimmed 
by any improper acts as citizens, but as time rolls on let your 
record grow brighter and brighter still. 

John A. Logan, Major-General. 

As the days passed without receiving definite orders 
for mustering out, many became impatient ; but, on July 
21, 1865, — just four years and four days from the date 
of muster in, the orders to muster out the Sixth Iowa 
that day were received. It was a busy day packing up 
personal traps and turning over government property, 
exchanging photographs, autographs, and other tokens 
of loyal comradeship, with the men of the 40th and 103rd 
Illinois, the 46th Ohio, 97th and 100th Indiana, and 26th 
Illinois, with whom the men of the Sixth Iowa had been 



HOMEWARD MARCH 489 

so closely and intimately associated for more than three 
years. It was the final preparation for bidding farewell 
to the scenes and strife of war, and the ' ' Sunny South ' '. 

Not until late in the evening did the mustering officer, 
Captain William L. Alexander, 30th Iowa, appear. Then 
the command was formed on the regimental parade 
ground, in column of companies, and the ceremony of 
mustering out at once commenced. Beginning with the 
first company on the right, the process of calling the roll 
and answering to the names, and making the proper en- 
tries for the present and absent was proceeded with un- 
til the last name in the last company was reached, num- 
bering two hundred and seventy-three men, rank and 
file. Then the announcement was made that the regi- 
ment not break camp until the next morning. The an- 
nouncement was also made that General Logan would 
speak in the city during the evening, on the subject of the 
settlement of the great public questions growing out of 
the war, and this attracted a large number to hear him. 
The good advice, sound logic, and patriotic sentiments 
expressed in that speech by the most popular volunteer 
General of the war had much to do with fixing in the 
minds of the young men, who were then being trans- 
ferred from soldiers to citizens, right principles for their 
future lives and for the government of the country. 

At the last dress parade had by the regiment. Colonel 
William H. Clune commanding, presented his farewell 
address, as follows : 

Headquarters 6th Iowa, V. V. Infantry, 
Louisville, Ky., July 21, 1865. 

Officers and Soldiers of the Sixth Iowa V. V. Infantry : 

Peace has dawned upon the Nation, The Union is restored. 

Forts and public property are repossessed. 

The serpent that darted, with poisonous fangs, at the vitals 



490 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

of the Republic, no longer tempts the statesman. Its head is 
fatally bruised, and it has no mourners. 

At your hands no further sacrifices, are demanded, and our 
beneficent Government, having gratefully acknowledged your 
patriotic services, to-morrow restores you to our beloved Iowa. 
Your mediate commanding officers, in bidding you farewell, 
added each a worthy tribute to your valor, endurance, fidelity, 
and patriotism. 

It seems fitting that I, who have been more intimately asso- 
ciated with you during these four eventful years, should repeat 
the "God bless you", as it passes down the line. 

You have not advertised, yet your regiment is not unlmown. 
It has marched seven thousand miles. It has fought twenty-sev- 
en battles. Over four hundred Southern graves its name is 
written. Its flag was never lowered to the accursed emblem of 
treason. 

With comrades, from sister States, you swept the enemy 
from Missouri; mingled in the terrific struggle of Shiloh; 
scoured Mississippi ; laid siege to Vicksburg ; captured Jackson ; 
scaled Lookout Mountain; relieved Knoxville; pursued a stub- 
born foe from Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, 
Kenesaw, Chattahoochie, Peachtree Creek, Ezra Chapel, Jones- 
boro, Love joy and Atlanta. Together with the brigade you re- 
pulsed at Griswoldville, a force of five times its numbers, marched 
down to the sea; thence, through the Carolinas, and terminated 
your glorious campaigns with a triumphal procession, amid the 
plaudits of your countrymen, at the Federal capital. 

I shall not presume to advise for the future. There are those 
who, looking to another continent for precedent, unmindful 
that the American soldier is yet a citizen, and battles only in 
defense of laws enacted by the people, are apprehensive that a 
degree of lawlessness and anarchy will follow the disbandonment 
of a great army. Their fears will soon be dissipated. Intel- 
ligent men never voluntarily resign the enjoyments of home, 
and breast the battle-storm to serve a government they do not 
respect, or defend institutions they do not love, A volunteer 



HOMEWARD MARCH 491 

soldier is a patriot. Patriotism dictates ready and cheerful 
obedience to the Constitution and the laws. 

Loved ones will rejoice at your safe return. Others will 
weep as your battle-torn banners are borne proudly through 
their streets. Fathers, brothers, sons and husbands, have fallen 
by your side. Tell the sorrowing father, the weeping widow 
and the mourning sister, "He died bravely at the iron front. 
The Southern breeze, that sighs a requiem over the resting 
place of your loved one, shall never fan a slave". But how 
idle is human consolation. God alone can assuage their grief. 

'Twill be alike your pleasure and duty to stand faithful sent- 
inels at the threshold of the orphan's home. Guard it well that 
gaunt Famine, Starvation and Want, shall never enter there. 

With many thanks for your personal kindness, and implicit 
obedience to orders, while under my command, I bid you fare- 
well. 

May your paths ever wind through pleasant places, and 
your future lives be prosperous and happy, as your deeds have 
been glorious and honorable. 

W. H. Clune, Lieutenant -Col one! Commanding. 

When the final fareAvells were said with the officers 
and men of the other commands, there were many heart- 
felt and loyal expressions of friendship and cordial good 
wishes for future prosperity and happiness, and, in many 
instances, the scenes were truly and sincerely affecting. 
It was a disbanding of military organizations and a sun- 
dering of soldier comradeship cemented by more than 
three years of campaigning and battling together in the 
veiy storm center of those stirring events. The ties of 
friendship formed by such associations are undefinable, 
and can only be felt and realized by those who have en- 
dured the weary service and experienced the fiery ordeal 
of battle. 

The almost universal good will manifested between 



492 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

the officers and men in the regiment — the same being | 
true generally throughout the army — on being mustered 
out, was a most gratifying state of affairs at that aus- 
picious time. All the little animosities engendered by 
the unavoidable frictions, during a long period of ser- 
vice, were blotted out and reckoned as by-gones, so that 
all could return to their homes, live in peace and harmony, 
harboring no malice or hatred for officer or soldier, but 
all fraternize together in the enjoyment of a glorious 
peace conquered and a Union preserved. 

Eveiy commissioned officer mustered out with the 
Sixth Iowa, except the medical staff, had come up from 
the ranks, all being soldiers time and tried, and officers 
of the highest excellence. Colonel W. H. Clune and Ma- 
jor 0. J. McCoy, the last field officers, were raised, step 
by step, through all the grades, from enlisted men to 
commanders of the regiment. Captains E. F. Barker, 
0. S. Raiick, S. J. Gahagan, W. H. Alexander, R. A. 
Wills, E. R. Kennedy, A. T. Samson, J. Swan, J. Turner, 
and S. L. Blodgett, all of whom had served from the be- 
ginning, were in every way worthy successors of the 
noble men who had preceded them in the command 
of their respective companies. Adjutant R. A. Stitt and 
Quartermaster 0. P. Stafford had been rightfully pro- 
moted for long and efficient service in the administra- 
tive affairs in their respective departments. Doctors 
W. S. Lambert and N. M. Smith had both attained 
distinction as skillful physicians and surgeons in the 
army. 

The lieutenants and non-commissioned officers of the 
companies, and the non-commissioned officers of the regi- 
mental staff, had, all of them, served more than half of 
their enlistments in the ranks and were promoted to their 



HOMEWARD MAECH 493 

respective positions after patient and persistent service. 
Still, there were men left in the ranks as privates, who 
were fully qualified to command companies and even 
regiments, but had never sought or desired promotion. 
Many of these men have attained prominence in business 
enterprises and high rank in the professions, since the 
war. 

On July 22nd, at 12 o'clock noon, the camp of the 
Sixth Iowa was struck for the last time in the army and 
the men marched out from their places in the line, where 
they had been a material factor in the organization for 
so long. They passed down through the streets of the 
city and thence down along the rapids canal to a point 
opposite to the city of New Albany, Indiana, where they 
were ferried over the Ohio River to that city. There 
they boarded freight cars on the New Albany and Salem 
Railroad, for Chicago; passed through Salem, Green- 
castle, CraAvfordsville, and arrived at the city of La 
Fayette, at 7 a. m., next morning. Here a delay was 
caused until 2 p. m., when the journey was renewed and 
the train arrived at Michigan City, on the lake shore, at 
12 o 'clock midnight. 

Without changing cars, the start was made for Chica- 
go, but, when only fifteen miles out on the road, a de- 
railed train obstructed the track and caused another delay 
until 10 a. m., when the track was cleared and the train 
proceeded slowly into the city of Chicago, where it arrived 
at one p. m. The men were unloaded and marched 
through the city to the Rock Island Railroad depot and 
boarded a train on that road, at 3 p. m. They arrived 
at Davenport, Iowa, the next morning, at 7 a. m., July 
25, 1865, A large concourse of citizens was at the depot 
at that early hour to receive and welcome the returning 



494 SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY 

veterans and the Honorable Hiram Price, then a member 
of Congress from the Davenport District, delivered the 
welcome address. 

After being served with hot coffee and breakfast, pre- 
pared by the women of Davenport, the line of march was 
taken up again out to Camp McClellan, where the men 
were assigned to quarters in the barracks to wait the 
convenience of the army paymaster. The guns and all 
government property were turned in to the proper United 
States officers, and, on July 28th, the United States pay- 
master appeared, when each man received the amount of 
pay and bounty due him, and his honorable discharge 
from the sei-^dce. On receipt of pay and discharge pa- 
pers, hasty farewells were exchanged and the men de- 
parted singly and in squads for their homes. 

The regimental organization, formed at Burlington in 
July, 1861, and which had marched and fought the bat 
ties of the war, was now dissolved and the men scattered, 
never again to be marshalled together on this earth. 



1 



INDEX 



495 



INDEX 



Abbeville (Mississippi), Union troops at, 

151; Court of Inquiry at, 160 
Acworth (Georgia), Union troops at, 
282, 283, 345 ; capture of troops at, 
340; destruction of railroad near, 341; 
General French at, 345; railroad at, 
345 

Adairsville (Georgia), Union troops at, 
269, 270, 346 

Adajns, James B., capture of, 243 

Adams, Jesse W., wound received by, 268 

Adams, John Q., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 344 

Adams plantation, Union camp on, 197 

Addresses, delivery of, 124, 485, 489- 
491, 494 

Adjutant, Regimental, selection of, 8, 51 ; 
error made by, 52; removal of Thomas 
J. Ennis as, 53, 54 

Adjutant-General of Iowa, service of 
Henry H. Wright as, viii ; report of, 
ix; report of, relative to Company H, 
7 ; report of, relative to Company K, 
8 ; inspection of troops by, 34 ; casual- 
ty list prepared by, 50 

Adjutant-General of Iowa, Assistant, 
message dispatched by, 80, 81 

Adjutant-General of Texas, appointment 
of, 73 

Adkins, Jesse L., wound received by, 98, 
241, 295 

Ague, buck, attacks of, 39 

Aide-de-camp, service of, 120, 344 

Aiken (South Carolina), battle at, 413 

Alabama, activities of troops from, 85, 
86, 90; capture of troops from, 227; 
Union troops in, 251, 252, 263 ; Union 
sentiment in, 255; winter camps in, 
263, 484; defeat of troops from, 285; 
position of troops from, 314; Con- 
federate troops in, 351; campaign 
through, 354 

Alabama road. Union troops along, 348 

Albertson, George, message dispatched 
by, 80, 81; capture of, 81, 98 

Albia, company organized at, 2, 4; as- 
signment of troops from, to Company 
E, 6 

Alden, Edwin F., squad in charge of, 3; 
service of, as lieutenant, 164; message 
delivered by, 271; muster of, from 
service, 349 

Alexander, A. P., accidental injury receiv- 
ed by, 49 

Alexander, I. N., Union troops command- 
ed by, 355 . , ^ 

Alexander, Robert, wound received by, 
294 

Alexander, William H., promotion of, 
317; service of, as captain, 390, 492; 
return of, to Beaufort, 398 



Alexander, William L., service of, as 

mustering officer, 489 
Alexandria (Missouri), report of seces- 
sion troops at, 14, 15 
Alexandria (Virginia), Union troops at, 

465, 466, 468, 469, 470 
AUatoona (Georgia), Union troops near, 
282, 341, 343, 345; Confederate troops 
at, 340, 345 ; reenforcements sent to, 
341; demand for surrender of, 342; 
battle at, 344; bravery of John M. 
Corse at, 345; railroads near, 345; 
service of Fifteenth Army Corps at, 
387 
AUatoona Mountains, Confederate troops 
in, 271, 273, 282, 283; Union troops 
in! 282*; crossing of, 346 
AUatoona Pass, Union hospital at, 279, 

293 294 
AUatoona Station, Union troops at, 341; 

bravery of J. W. McKenzie at, 344 
Allegheny Mountains, trip of soldiers 

across, 480; scenery near, 480 
Allen, Charles L., wound received by, <i4J 
Allen, Martin V., capture of, 98; wound 

received by, 241 
Allison, Leander C, service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 7, 130; aid of, in capturing 
Confederate prisoners, 54; service of, 
as captain, 164; wound received by, 
241; muster of, from service, 349 
Allison, Robert, service of, as lieutenant. 
8, 130; sei-vice of, as captain, 78, 164; 
troops led by, 87, 88, 94; death of, 
236, 240, 253 . . o.o 

Alpine (Georgia), Union camp at, 34« 
Alverson, George, service of, 3, 4 
Ambulance corps, establishment ot, lao 
Ambulances, use of, 140, 356, 357, 371 
Ambuscade, making of, 181 
America, character of soldiers in, 251, 
490, 491; beauty of rivers in, 480; 
veterans remembered in, 486 
American citizens, freedom of, 159; 

pride of, 488 
American ideals, development of, 486 
American Republic, division of, 1 ; strug- 
gle for control of, 258, 259, 478 
American soldiers, characteristics of, 261, 

490, 491 (see also Soldiers) 
Ammen, Jacob, brigade commanded by, 89 
Ammunition, attempt to prevent wasting 
of, at Shiloh, 75; distribution of, 140, 
177, 233, 312, 367, 378, 389; de- 
struction of, 416 
Ammunition depots, explosion of, 113 
Ammunition train, difficulty of travel 

with, 145, 146 
Anununition wagons, advance of, 367 
Amusements, participation in, at Camp 

497 



498 



INDEX 



Warren, 9; participation in, by offi- 
cers, 28 

Anderson, Captain, Confederate battei-y 
commanded by, 369 

Anderson, [G. W. ], plantation of, 381 

Anderson, Patten, service of, as command- 
er, 72 ; wound received by, 324 

Anderson (Tennessee), Union troops at, 
229 

Anderson ville (Georgia), death of Iowa 
soldier at, 279 

Animals, fatigue of, 145 ; destruction of, 
426, 427 

Anti-war party, attitude of, 158 

Antrobus, Lafayette, capture of, 243 

Appanoose County, sheriff of, viii ; com- 
pany organized in, 2; assignment of 
troops from, to Company D, 6 ; troops 
from. 111 

Appanoose Volunteers, organization of, 
2 ; assignment of, to Company ]), 6 

Appointments, discontent of troops rela- 
tive to, 54 

Appomattox Court House, surrender of 
Confederates at, 447 

Appomattox River, crossing of, 463 

Aquia Creek, crossing of, 468 

Arkansas, advance of riflemen in, 23 ; 
troops from, at Springfield, Missouri, 
32; Confederate troops in, 43, 127, 
128; troops encamped on border of, 
43 ; Confederate troops from, 44 ; cam- 
paign in, 57; defeat of Confederates 
in, 64; activities of troops from, 85, 
86; Union forces in, 127; scouting in, 
135, 136 

Arkansas Riflemen, report of advance of, 
23 

Armistice, 206 

Armory, destruction of, 415 

Arms, call to, 1-12 

Armstrong, John W., death of, 98; wound 
received by, 98, 294 

Army badges, adoption of, 442, 443 

Army of the Cumberland, attack against, 
165, 303; commander of, ISO, 219, 
261 ; service of, 233, 234, 246, 329, 
393, 394; victory of, 238, 486; loss 
sustained by, 243 ; attack made bv, 
258; strength of, 261, 262; location of, 
282, 298, 309, 328; failure of, at 
Kenesaw Mountain, 295 

Army of Georgia, service of, 393 ; reor- 
ganization of, 445 ; march of, to Rich- 
mond, 459 ; review of, 470 ; position of, 
473 

Army of the Mississippi, service of, at 
Corinth, 121, 122 

Army of the Ohio, service of General 
Buell in, 121; attack by, 258; com- 
mander of, 261, 262; strength of, 
262; position of, 298, 304, 328, 329, 
393 ; reorganization of, 445 

Army of the Potomac, regiments of west- 
ern States in, 11; sei-vice of General 
Pope in, 121; officer of, 257; com- 
mander of, 308; service of, 393; 
adoption of badges in, 442 ; winter 
quarters of, 463 ; activities oif officers 
of, 463; defeat of, 468; strength of, 
468; review of, 470, 471 



Army of Tennessee (Confederate), 
strength of, 149, 262; plan of attack 
against, 258; commander of, 262; ser- 
vice of, 297 ; organization of, 445 
Amiy of the Tennessee, character of 
troops in, 60, 263, 308, 331, 332, 
394; distribution of, 122; commander 
of, 127, 223, 261, 262, 308, 336, 479; 
attack planned by, 258 ; strength of, 
262; activities of, 267, 272, 273, 393; 
camp of, 269; field hospitals of, 272; 
reenforcement of, 283 ; position of, 
298, 300, 302, 307, 308, 309, 324, 
328, 346; advance made by, 302, 325, 
394; assault upon, 304; casualties in, 
305, 306, 330; victorj' of, 307; ser- 
vice of, at East Point, 329; reorgan- 
ization of, 336, 445; service of veter- 
ans in, 338 ; campaign speeches read 
by members of, 348 ; railroad de- 
stroyed by, 353; composition of, 394; 
march of, to Richmond, 459 ; review 
of, 470; passes granted in, 479; rumor 
relative to, 481; muster of, from ser- 
vice, 482, 483 ; pride of members of, 
485 
Army of Virginia, commander of, 127 
Army regulations, instructions in, 119 
Army supplies, sharing of, 210 
Arndt, A. F. R., battery commanded by, 
351, 353, 364, 366; casualties among 
troops of, 367 
Arnold, William H., wound received bv, 
101, 242, 279; service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 164; muster of, from service, 349 
Arsenals, destruction of, 415, 425 
Articles of War, reading of, 147 
Artillerj-, strength of, 70, 139, 142, 143, 
355; service of, 77, 287, 433; attack 
made by, 78, 88; troops directed bv 
chief of, 88; firing of, 90, 91, 107, 
404, 410; posting of, in camp, 118; 
importance of, 119; fatigue of animals 
in, 145 ; firing of, bv Confederates, 
145, 315, 320, 322, 324, 380, 381; 
roar of, 264; Confederate officer killed 
by, 284 
Artillery Brigade, commander of, 472 
Artillery equipment, reduction in, 351 
Asliby, Elon G., wound received by, 241 
Athens (Missouri), consolidation of 
troops from, 4 ; report of attack at, 
15, 16, 20; Union troops at, 16, 246; 
retreat of secessionists from, 17; skirm- 
ishes at, 18, 19; destruction of prop- 
erty in, 19, 20; return of guns used at, 
20; service of troops at, 483 
Athens (Tennessee), Union camp at, 248 
Athletic sports, participation in, at Camp 

Warren, 9 
Atkins, Dr., plantation of, 191 
Atkinson, Oliver P., death of, 98 
Atlanta (Georgia), officer wounded at, 
v; Iowa trooi>s at, vi, 317; railroad 
to, 271; Confederate troops at, 302, 
305, 319, 336, 339; campaigns for, 
307, 322, 328, 394, 433, 464, 484; 
skirmishes near, 319; arrival of troops 
from, 322 ; loss of (Confederates near, 
324; explosions near, 325; capture of, 
328, 394; casualties neai-, 329, 331; 



INDEX 



499 



Union troops at, 332, 333, 334, 336, 
339, 340, 351, 353, 355, 356, 393, 
453, 486, 490; consolidation of troops 
at, 336 ; destruction of proi)erty in, 
354; mail received by soldiers at, 384; 
march from, 399; siege of, 433; de- 
parture of troops from, 441 ; display 
of banners in honor of, 475 

Atlantic and Western Railroad, Confeder- 
ate troops along, 265 

Atlantic Coast, naval service on, 425; 
river flowing to, 461, 462 

Augley's Post Office (South Carolina), 
Union troops near, 401 

Augi^sta (Georgia), railroad to, 376, 
398; battle near, 413 

Augusta and Darian road, crossing of, 
380 

Augusta Railroad, Union troops along, 
302, 304, 329 

Austrian muskets, use of, in Union 
army, 31, 46 

Autographs, exchange of, 488 

Ayers, William, capture of, 243 

Babington, George W., death of, 279 
Badges, adoption of, 442, 443; descrip- 
tion of, 443 
Baggage, arrival of, 62, 213; assembling 
of, 212; storage of, in camp, 264; 
shipment of, 352 
Baker, Thomas B., wound received by, 99 
Baker, William, wound received by, 100 
Baldwin, Francis F., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 164; death of, 278 
Baldwin, Lemuel, wound received by, 279 
Ballou, Joseph N., wound received by, 

99, 294 
Ball's Ferry, Union troops at, 373 
Band, organization of, 8, 26, 123; in- 
struments for, 26; music by, 55, 195; 
discharge of members of, 132; pro- 
ficiency of, 132, 133 
Bands, music by, 38, 348, 349, 358, 474, 

481 
Banners, display of, 475 
Barber, Coleman, wound received by, 267 
Barker, Rodney F., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 164; wound received by, 279; 
promotion of, 390; service of, 492 
Barksdale, William, death of, 205 
Barksdale place, Union camp at, 209 
Barnard, Calvin, wound i-eceived by, 279 
Barnhill, Rigdon S., Union troops com- 
manded by, 282, 292; death of, 292, 
331 
Barr, William H., wound received by, 

242; death of, 370 
Barracks, erection of, 162 
Barricades, construction of, 430 
Barrows, Thomas J., death of, 241 
Base of supplies, establishment of, 383, 

385 
Bashore, John L., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 6, 130, 153; attack made by 
troops under, 78; wife of, 134; ar- 
rest of, 145"; service of, as captain, 
164; troops commanded by, 178, 226; 
service of, as enlisting ofScer, 254; 
death of, 349 



Bates, William B., service of, as com- 
mander, 72, 278 

Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Union troops 
at, 183 

Battalion drill, beginning of, 24 ; par- 
ticipation in, 40, 43, 45, 53, 66, 122, 
123, 132, 149, 162, 171, 173, 185, 
189, 191, 216, 259, 441 

Batteries, construction of, by Confeder- 
ates, 196 

Battery B, First Michigan Ai-tillery, ser- 
vice of, 350; position of, 364 

Battery F, First Illinois Artillery, officer 
of, 263 

Battle, excitement of troops in anticipa- 
tion of, 39, 68 

Battle line, formation of, at Shiloh, 76 

Battle order, issuing of, by Albert Sid- 
ney Johnston, 74 ; reading of, at 
Shiloh, 75 

Battlefields, conditions on, 281 

Bayonets, order relative to, 146 ; use 
of, at Shiloh, 75 

Beamer, Reuben M., wound received by, 
241 

Bear Creek, encampment on, 44 ; attack 
on enemy at mouth of, 61 ; Union 
troops at mouth of, 199 ; cannonading 
near, 225 ; crossing of, 229 

Beaufort (South Carolina), Union troops 
at, 395, 396, 397; population of, 396; 
hospital at, 397, 398; reference to, 
425; badges adopted at, 442, 443 

Beauregard, P. G. T., army command- 
ed by, 64, 73, 105, 115, 126, 369, 
418, 427, 464; appointment of, by 
Jefferson Davis, 72 ; military education 
of, 73; staff of, 74, 86; conference 
held by, 75; retreat of troops under, 
90, 94; strength of troops under, 115; 
retirement of, from command, 121, 
143 ; comment by, relative to Vicks- 
burg, 215 

Beaver Dam Creek, Union camp near, 
448 

Behr, Frederick, assignment of troops 
under, to brigade, 60, 61 ; use of gun 
under direction of, 78; wounding of, 
79 

Belle Island, visit of troops to, 465 

Bellefonte (Alabama), Union camp at, 
252 

Benner, Henrj' M., death of, 437 

Bennett's house, meeting of officers at, 
454 

Benton Barracks, troops at, 29 

Bentonville (North Carolina), Union 
troops near, 433, 484, 487; Confed- 
erate troops at, 434, 435 

Bentonville road, Union troops along, 
430, 433 

Berrie, John, wound received by, 242 

Best, Levi A., death of, 133 

Bethel (Tennessee), Union troops at, 
125. 228 

Beulah (North Carolina), Union troops 
at, 446; engagement at, 447 

Big Black Creek, crossing of, 420, 421 

Big Black River, Confederate troops 
along, 193, 199, 202, 212, 216, 217, 
219, 236; scoiiting along, 197, 201; 



33 



500 



INDEX 



bridge aci-oss, 199, 202; crossing of, 
201, 202 ; swamps along, 484 
Big Salkeliatchie River, Union troops 

along, 401 
Big Shanty, Union troops at, 283, 284, 
345, 490; supplies at, 297; capture 
of troops at, 340 ; destruction of rail- 
road near, 341 
Bigham, John, death of, 279 
Bilka, Charles, wound received by, 268 
Birdsong's Terry, Union troops at, 199, 

202 
Bissel, J. W., earthworks erected under 

direction of, 48, 49 
Bixby, Benjamin, death of, 295, 301; 

service of, 437 
Bixbv, Emery I., wound received by, 97 
Black, George, death of, 279 
"Black Jack" (see Logan, John A.) 
Black River, guarding of, 197 
Blackville (South Carolina), Union 

troops at, 403 
Blair, Frank P., Union troops command- 
ed by, 224, 245, 283, 309, 355, 397; 
political activities of, 335; troops re- 
viev.-ed by, 463 ; service of, 473 
Blankets, shipping of, to Iowa, 67 ; sup- 
ply of, 146, 162 
Blennerhassett's Island, passing of, by 

Union troops, 480 
Blind, institutions for, 450, 451 
BJockade, maintenance of, by Union 

navj-, 389 
Blodgett, Sebastian L., promotion of, 390; 

service of, 492 
Blount's place. Confederate troops at, 
350; skirmish at, 350; Union camp at, 
350 
Blue, Cyrus N., wound received by, 99 
Blue Pond, Union troops near, 248 
Blythe, G. L., Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 154, 165, 172 
Boardman, John, death of, 97 
Boardman, Oliver, death of, 202 
Boats, destruction of, 351 
Bolivar (Missouri), encampment at, 41: 

Union troops at, 125 
Bolton, William H., death of, 217 
Books, reading of, in camp, 173 
Booth, John Wilkes, Lincoln assassinated 

by. 449 
Boothe, James W., service of, as lieuten- 
ant-colonel, 139 
Bostrand, Oscar, death of, 286 
Bounty, offering of, for volunteers, 254 
Bouton, Captain, battery commanded by, 

140, 149 
Bowen. John S., service of, as command- 
er, 72 
Bowers, Samuel W., death of, 97 
Bowling Green (Kentucky), assembling 

of forces from, 64 
Bowling Green (Virginia), Union troops 

at, 466, 467 
Boyce Station (Tennessee), Union camp 

at, 244 
Boyd, Alexander B., woiind received by, 

213; loss of, in action, 214 
Boyles, Daniel J., death of, 213 
Bradlev. Benjamin F., wound received 
by, 98 



Bradlev, Elijah P., wound received by, 
294 ■ 

Bradley, Stephen T., wound received by, 
205, 213 

Bragg, Braxton, assembling of troops of, 
64 ; Second Corps commanded by, 72 ; 
militao' education of, 73 ; service of, 
in U. S. army, 73 ; Confederate troops 
commanded by, 74, 121, 127, 143, 
237, 238, 243, 244; service of, at 
Corinth, 115; march of, to Chattanoo- 
ga, 133; defeat of, 244 

"Bran Hollow" (see "Camp Starvation") 

Branchville (South Carolina), Union 
troops at, 487 

Breastworks, erection and use of, 32, 
106, 107, 112, 303, 312, 824, 399, 
418, 419, 439 

Breckinridge, John C, assembling of 
troops under leadership of, 64 ; Fourth 
Corps commanded by, 72 ; service of, 
as Vice President, 73 ; Confederate 
troops commanded by, 74, 126, 202 

Bridgeport (Alabama), Union camp at, 
250 

Bridgeport (Tennessee), troops on road 
to. 230 

Bridges, construction of, 145, 246, 300, 
374, 375, 387, 419. 420; destruction 
of, 150. 178, 230, 245, 351, 353, 401, 
402, 410, 422, 467 

Brigade, composition of, 34 

Brigade drill, participation in, 135, 216 

Brigade flags, adoption of, 443 

Brigade quarter-mast«r, duty of, 120 

Brigadier, service of, 131, 147 

Brigadier-general, camp named in honor 
of Iowa's first, 30; appointment of. 
by Texas, 73 

Broad River, crossing of, 397, 413; 
Union troops near, 409, 410; junc- 
tion of, 410 

Brock, Irving A., article by, 239 

Brown, Reverend, religioiis service held 
by, 105 

Brown, George A., death of, 98 

Brown, John B., wound received by, 97, 
370; death of, 437 

Brown, John W., death of, 370 

Brown, William, wound received by, 97; 
capture of, 97 

Brown, William B., troops commanded 
by, 312, 313; death of, 313 

Brown, William J., wound received by, 
98 

Brown, William L., wound received by, 
213 

Brownilow, W. G., service of, to Union, 
247 

Brown's Ferry, Union troops at, 233, 234 

Brunaugh, James, service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 4. 8 ; selection of, as regi- 
mental riuarter-master, 8, 129; resig- 
nation of, 163 

Bi-ush Mountain, topography of land 

near, 283 
Brydolf, Fabian, service of, as captain, 
4, 7, 130; advance of troops under. 
16; battlefield visited by, 43; activi- 
ties of, in guarding camp, 53 ; troops 
led by, 78, 83 ; patriotism inspired by. 



INDEX 



501 



83; wound received by, 83, 100; troops 
joined by, 125; appointment of, as 
lieutenant-colonel, 138 

Buchanan, James, administration of, as 
President, 73, 74; member of cabinet 
of, 74 

Buchanan, James (corporal), wound re- 
ceived by, 267 

Buck ague, attacks of, 39 

Buckingham, Hamilton, death of, 293, 
301 

Buckland, R. P., brigade commanded by, 
69, 70, 108, 140 

Buell, Don Carlos, troops commanded by, 
65, 89, 92, 121, 127, 255; activities 
of troops under, 88, 93, 95, 105: 
reenforcement sent to, 94 ; comment 
of, relative to enemy, 94 ; arrival of, 
at Shiloh, 95; service of, at Corintli, 
115 

Buford's bridge. Union troops near, 401 

Bugle, sound of, 207, 208 

Buildings, description of, in south, 174 

Bull Run, battle of, 10, 393; General 
Beauregard at, 64, 73 

"Bummers" (see "Shennan's Bummers") 

Burials, description of, 102 

Burk, Sanford P., wound received by, 
100 

Burlington, muster of troops at, vi; com- 
pany organized at, 3 ; troops at, 3, 4, 
483 ; Camp Warren near, 5 ; major 
from, 5 ; Sixth Iowa Infanti-y Volun- 
teers organized at, 5, 494; assignment 
of troops from, to Company I, 7 ; 
Camp Warren visited by citizens of, 
12; departure of troops from, 13, 14; 
return of soldier to, 442 

Burlington Blues, organization of, 3, 4 ; 
assignment of, to Company I, 7 

Burnsides, Ambrose E., troops command- 
ed by, 199, 244, 245, 468; communi- 
cation written by, 247 
"Burnsides' Slaughter Pen", reference to, 
468 

Burris, Jacob B., wound received bj', 
101; capture of, 101 

Burton, J. H., battery commanded by, 
263 

Bussev, Cvrus, cavalrv commanded by, 
199 

Butler, General, army commanded by, 

464 
Butler, M. C, Confederate cavalry com- 
manded by, 422 
"Buzzard Roost", attack made at, 264 
Byam, Charles L., wound received by, 

"97; capture of, 97 
Byers, Andrew, wound received by, 99 
Byhalia (Mississippi), Confederate troops- 
at, 144; Union troops at, 144, 190; 
destruction of property in, 190 

Cabinet members, troops reviewed by, 471 

Cackly, James, death of, 101 

Cairo (Illinois), Union troops at, 20, 59, 

60, 259 
Caldwell, Tarlton, commission of, as lieii- 

tenant, 6 
Calhoun, James, death of, 99 
Calhoun (Georgia), Union troops at, 346 



California (Missouri), troops sent to, 34 
Callahan, Asa N., wound received by, 329 
Callen, Albert H., death of, 269 
Cameron, Simon, inspection of troops 

by, 34 
Camp Creek, Confederates near, 266; 

Union camp on, 320 
Camp Curtis, troops encamped at, 30; 
activities at, 31, 58; last days of 
troops at, 32 ; sanitaiy conditions in, 
49 
Camp fires, building of, 181, 375 
Camp Fremont, troops encamped at, 34 
Camp guards, establishment of, 389 
Camp Jessie, establishment of, 25 ; of- 
ficers commissioned at, 27 ; lack of 
equipment at, 28, 29; remembrance of, 
58 
Camp life, enjoyment of, 29; hardships 
of, 52; remembrance of, 58; condi- 
tions in, 64 
Camp McClellan, muster of troops from 

service at, vi ; Union troops at, 494 
Camp Number 2, establishment of, 107 
Camp Number 4, erection of, 107 
Camp Number 5, Union troops at, 108 
Camp Number 6, establishment of, 108 
Camp Number 7, occupation of, 112 
Camp orders, issuing of, 109 
Camp Persinmions, naming of, 40 
Camp Sherman, Union troops at, 216; 
casualties at, 217, 218; activities at, 
218 
"Camp Starvation," encampment at, 40 
Camp Warren, mustering of troops at, 
vi, 9; Sixth Iowa Infantry Volunteers 
organized at, 5 ; selection of, 5 : troops 
assembled at, 5, 9; character of troops 
at, 9; excitement at, after battle of 
Bull Run, 10; supply of rations in, 
11; dress parade at, 11; enthusiasm 
at, 12 ; departure of Sixth Iowa from, 
13 ; orders relative to troops at, 15 
Campaign, plan of, in Missouri, 37-56; 
plan of, in South, 142; beginning of, 
near Atlanta, 319; incidents in, 483 
Campaign literature, distribution of, 248 
Campbell, John, wound received by, 268 
Campbellton (Georgia), Confederate 

troops at, 340 
Camps, false reports received in, 32 ; 
suffering in, from cold, 47 ; epidemic 
of sickness in, 50; lack of defense in, 
66; conditions in, 69, 213, 359, 441; 
plunder from, 96; reoccupation of, 101, 
102; establislunent of, 106, 158, 180, 
190, 213, 388, 420; noise of Confeder- 
ates' heard in, 112, 316; posting artil- 
lery in, 118; duties in, 135; location 
of, 162; guarding of, 162, 163; ne- 
groes in, 169; abandonment of, by 
Union troops, 181, 379; stampede in, 
212; appearance of, 222, 333, 441; 
equipment in. 264 ; excitement in, 481 
Cane Creek, military engagement at, 224 
Canning, Edward A., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 164; wound received by, 268 
Cannon, firing of, 77, 171; number of, 

90, 91 
Cannonading, effect of, at Shiloh, 88; 
sound of, 195, 225, 264, 378, 379, 



502 



INDEX 



429; troops engaged in, 203; contin- 
uance of, 297, 384 

Cannon's bridge road, Union troops 
along, 403 

Canton road. Union troops on, 204, 207 

Cape Fear River, campaign along, 423 ; 
topography near, 425, 461 ; refugees 
halted at, 426 

Capitol Grounds (Washington D. C). 
encampment on, 471 

Captain, service of Henry H. Wright as, 
viii 

Captains, names of, 6-8 

Carmach, Noah, wound received by, 99 ; 
death of, 157 

Carnagg, John (see Carnagy, John) 

Carnagy, John, wound received by, 97 

Carroll, John, capture of, 100 

Carson, Thomas, wound received by, 242 

Carter, Nathaniel, death of, 99 

Cartersville (Georgia), Union troops at, 
346 

Cartridge box, adoption of, as badge, 
442, 443 

Cartridges, issue of, 367 

Case, John W., wound received by, 370 

Cassiday, Joseph, capture of, 437 

Cassville (Georgia), skirmishes near, 
270; Union troops at, 273, 346 

Casualties, number of, 49, 50, 58, 79, 
80, 84, 86, 93, 96-102, 110, 111, 121, 
124, 129, 134, 136, 189, 192, 202, 
213, 214, 218, 231, 232, 240, 244, 
267, 268, 269, 271, 278-280, 286, 
292-295, 297, 301, 306, 307, 311, 
312, 317, 318, 324, 325, 327, 329- 
331, 338, 342, 343, 366, 367, 369, 
370, 371, 382, 401, 416, 419, 422, 
435, 436, 437, 490; list of, prepared 
by Adjutant-General, 50 

Catterson, Robert F., Union troops com- 
manded by, 275, 356, 367, 406, 430, 
453, 472; orders given by, 410; ser- 
vice of, at Columbia, 413; official staff 
of, 448 

Cattle, taking of, 146, 147, 150; cap- 
ture of, by Confederates, 319; abund- 
ance of, 358; protection of, 381, 382 

Cavalry, calling of, to service, 3 ; camp 
for, 9 ; display made by members of, 
35; advance made by, 68, 143, 319; 
service of, as guard, 74, 132; posting 
of, in camp, 118; maintenance of, 
128; strength of, 139, 155, 355; fac- 
tories destroyed by, 300; report by, 
350; activities of, 364, 365; advance 
of, 418 

Cavalry, Confederate, engagement of 
Union troops with, 64; attacks made 
by, 67, 78, 150, 155, 363, 427, 429; 
service of, as guards, 163 ; strength 
of, 360; vigilance of, 401; retreat of, 
419, 447; position held by, 422; re- 
sistance of, 447 

Cavalry Corps, strength of, 262; com- 
mander of, 262 

Cavalry Division, commander of, 445 

Cavalry drill, troops engaged in, 186 

Cave Spring (Georgia), Union troops at, 
351, 352 

Caw Caw Swamp, Union troops near, 405 



Cedar Bluff (Georgia), skirmishes near, 
326; Union troops at, 351 

Cedar Bluffs, consolidation of troops 
from, 4 

Cedartowu (Georgia), Union troops at, 
352 

Centerville, account of battle published 
at, vi ; Henry H. Wright resident of, 
viii; military company organized at, 
2 ; assignment of troops from, to Com- 
pany D, 6 

Centerville (Virginia), Union troops at, 
465 

Central Department, Union troops in, 127 

Cestine, Jacob, wound received by, 295 

Chalmers, A. H., Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 172 

Chalmers, James R., service of, as Con- 
federate commander, 72, 90, 172, 185, 
186, 187; report issued by, 172; re- 
treat of, 181, 186; attack against, 
190, 220; communication of, 191 

Chambers, Edward, wound received by, 
99, 242, 318 

Changler, Charles, wound received by, 
370 

Chaplain of Sixth Iowa Infantry Volun- 
teers, commission of, 5 ; service held 
by, 48, 122, 156 

Chapman, Jacob, death of, 317 

Chapters, consolidation of, ix 

Chariton, military company from, 2, 4 ; 
assignment of troops from, to Company 
B, 6 

Charles, AquiUa T., wound received by, 
293 

Charleston (South Carolina), firing at, 1, 
378; services of General Beauregard 
at, 64 ; Confederate forces at, 73 ; 
plan of Union troops to advance to, 
359; railroad from, 398; reference to, 
421 ; Union troops at, 487 

Charleston (Tennessee), Union troops at, 
245, 246, 250 

Charleston and Augusta Railroad, Union 
troops along, 400 

Chase, Daniel, service of, as major, 139 

Chase, Newby, death of, 276, 279 

Chattahoochee River, Confederate troops 
along, 296, 298, 299; Union troops 
along, 298, 299, 300, 328, 339, 490; 
crossing of, 299, 302, 339, 340, 353; 
description of, 300; bridge over, 329 

Chattanooga (Tennessee), Iowa troops 
at, vi ; (Confederate army at, 133, 243, 
262; Union army at, 218, 224, 233, 
250, 255, 259, 260, 263, 264, 336, 
484, 486; situation at, 219; battle of, 
219-243, 250, 464; siege of, 244; 
veteran troops at, 260, 261; hospital 
at, 279, 349, 352; destruction of rail- 
road near, 346 

Chattanooga River, Union troops on, 348 

Chatten, William R., promotion of, 391 

Cheatham, B. F., service of, as command- 
er, 72, 278 

Cheeney, Charles J., death of, 97 

Cheney, Captain, battery commanded by, 
149 

CJheraw (South Carolina), Union troops 
near, 421, 422 



INDEX 



503 



Chewalla (Tennessee), Union camp at, 
116, 221 

Chewalla Creek, Union troops at, 124 

Chicago (Illinois), Union soldiers at, 
260, 442, 493 

Chicago battery, activities of, 177 

Chicago Times, restriction upon circula- 
tion of, 166 

Chickahominy River, Union camp near, 
466; conditions along, 467 

Chickamauga (Georgia), battle of, 219, 
240, 243, 261, 264, 394; fortifica- 
tions at, 234 ; Union troops near, 244 

Chickamauga Creek, crossing of, 234, 
244 ; Union camp near, 248, 264 

Chickasaw Battery, shelling of, by Union 
forces, 61 

Chickasaw Bluff (Tennessee), Union 
troops at, 125, 128 

Chickasaw Bluffs (Mississippi), battle 
at, 158 

Cliickens, taking of, by soldiers, 147 

Chiwapa River, Union troops near, 186 

Christian faith, negroes' belief in, 169 

Christmas, spending of, in camp, 48, 251, 
252; gift in honor of, 388; scarcity 
of supplies for, 389 

Chulahoma (Mississippi), Union camp at, 
144; orders countermanded at, 153 

Church, William, capture of, 100 

Church services, interruption of, by cav- 
alry skirmish, 67; attendance at, 67, 
141 

Cincinnati (Ohio), Union troops at, 481 

Citizens, loyalty of, 170 

Civil War, historj' of regiment of, vi ; 
strength of Iowa troops in, vi ; enlist- 
ments in, viii ; losses resulting from, 
183, 184 

Clark, Charles, service of, as commander, 
72 

Clark, Enos R., wound received by, 101 

Clark, George W., death of, 100 

Clark, George W., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 164; wound received by, 202, 279, 
371 

Clark, J. B., troops commanded by, 32 

Clark, John A., wound received by, 97, 
294 

Clark, Thomas A., wound received by, 
100, 294 

Clark, W. H., death of, 343 

Clarke County, military company organ- 
ized in, 2, 3 ; assignment of troops 
from, to Company F, 7 ; religious ser- 
vice held by minister from, 105 

Clarke County (Missouri), consolidation 
of troops from, 4 

Clarke County Guards, organization of, 
2; assignment of, to Company F, 7 

Claver, Charles H., wound received by, 
99 

Clavsville (Alabama), Union troops at, 
257 

Clayton, H. D., Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 311 

Clear Creek, Union camp at, 148, 150 

Cleburne, Patrick R., service of, as Con- 
federate commander, 72, 74, 85, 86, 
96, 236, 239, 240, 278; casualties in 



troops of, 96; message to, 239; direc- 
tions given to, 240 

Cleveland (Tennessee), Union camp at, 
245, 250 

Clinton (Georgia), Union camp near, 
362, 363; flight of citizens from, 363; 
troops sent to, 373 

Clinton (Mississippi), Union troops at, 
203, 211 

Clinton and Jackson road. Union troops 
on, 203 

Clinton road. Union camp along, 203 

Clock, Hezekiah C, troops in charge of, 
4; service of, as lieutenant, 130, 164; 
muster of, from service, 349 

Clothing, supply of, 20, 24, 33, 48, 52, 
67, 103, 128, 146, 162, 189, 203, 
215. 333, 389, 434, 440, 444, 470; 
shipping of, to Iowa, 67 ; need of, 122, 
126, 152, 153, 245, 246, 249, 426, 
434, 438 

Clune, William H., selection of, as quar- 
termaster-sergeant, 8 ; speech delivered 
by, 55, 465, 489-491; service of, as 
lieutenant, 130; service of, as captain, 

138, 164; bravery of, 238; Union 
troops commanded by, 297, 310, 311, 
356, 475; promotion of, 317, 390, 492 

Cobb, Howell, service of, 369 

Cockerill, Joseph R., reenforcement of 
troops of, 88 ; brigade commanded by, 
149, 182, 194, 230, 231; bridge con- 
structed by troops of, 201, 202 

Cockrell, F. M., report by, 296; Confed- 
erate brigade commanded by, 296, 297, 
329, 341 

Coffeeville (Mississippi), retreat of Con- 
federates to, 152 

Cogswell, William, battery commanded by, 

139, 149, 194 

Coldwater (Mississippi), Union troops 
at, 177, 181, 191 

Coldwater Creek, bridge over, 178 

Coldwater River, Union camp along, 124, 
142, 144, 189; tributary of, 144; 
crossing of, 182, 191; Confederates 
along, 186, 187 

Cole, James A., capture of, 100 

College Hill, Union camp at, 145, 148, 
151; court-martial at, 148 

Collett, William J., wound received by, 
279 

Collierville (Mississippi), Union troops 
at, 191 

Collier\ille (Tennessee), Union troops 
near, 125, 184, 221; attack on, 220 

Colonel, service of Henry H. Wright as, 
viii ; commission of, in Sixth Iowa, 5 ; 
strategic position of, 70, 71 ; appoint- 
ment of Albert Sidney Johnston to of- 
fice of, 73 ; responsibility of, in pre- 
venting pillage, 147 

Colored trooiw, regiments of, 169; divi- 
sion of, 453 

Columbia (South Carolina), advance on, 
392-408; Union troops at, 405, 408, 

413, 414, 484, 487; Confederate troops 
at, 409; road to, 410; mayor of, 410; 
surrender of, to Union forces, 410; 
destruction of property in, 412, 413, 

414, 415; conduct of soldiers in, 414, 



504 



INDEX 



415: topography near, 417; march of 
Union troops from, 418; property se- 
cured at, 419; refugees in, 419; dis- 
play of banner in honor of, 475 

Columbia and South Carolina Railroad, 
Union troops near, 411 

Columbia road, Union troops on, 406, 
407 

Columbus (Kentucky), evacuation of, 64; 
organization of troops from, 64 ; rail- 
roads to, 222 

Combs, Michael, address by, 124 

Commander, duty of, 119 

Commerce, establishment of, 387 

Commissaries, duty of, 120; foraging by, 
146; rations issued by, 150, 297 

Commissary-sergeant, selection of, 8 

Commissary stores, abandonment of, in 
Confederate camp, 202, 203 

Companies, organization of, 2, 3 ; con- 
solidation of, 3, 4; information con- 
cerning, 6-8; reduction of size of, 37; 
captains of, 164 

Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantrj% num- 
ber of men in, 6; date of muster of, 
6; officers of, 6, 129, 130, 164, 390, 
391; promotion of member of, 8, 28, 
390, 391; casualties in, 49, 97, 213, 
241, 268, 279, 293, 306, 370; march 
of, to Syracuse, 52 ; recruiting of, 
111; transfer of, 194; service of mem- 
ber of, 437 

Company B, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 6 ; date of muster of, 
6; officers of, 6, 80. 130, 164, 317, 
390, 391, 435; marching of, to Syra- 
cuse, 52; advance of, 82, 267; casual- 
ties in, 97, 98, 213, 214, 217, 268, 
279, 286, 293, 306, 307, 311, 317, 
329, 370, 437; reference to members 
of, 105, 213, 437 

Company C, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 6: date of muster of, 
6; officers of, 6, 130, 164, 390, 391; 
resignation of second-lieutenant in, 8; 
aid of members of, in capturing Con- 
federate prisoner, 54: position of, 78, 
268; prisoners taken from, 98; casual- 
ties in, 98, 213, 214, 240, 241, 267, 

278, 279, 293, 294, 318, 370, 437; 
promotion of members of, 390, 391 

Company D, Sixth Iowa Infantry, ser- 
vice of member of, v ; diary kept by 
officer of, vii ; Henrj' H. Wright a 
member of, viii ; number of men in, 
6 ; date of muster of, 6 ; officers of, 
6, 8, 124, 130, 311, 317, 390, 398; 
promotion of members of, 8, 124, 317; 
athlete in, 9 ; advance of, southward, 
16; casualties in, 49, 68, 98, 136, 
164, 182, 213, 241, 268, 269, 271, 

279, 286, 294, 306, 307, 311, 318, 
329, 370, 428, 435, 437; scouting 
party conducted by members of, 54 ; 
service of, as guards, 62, 77, 178; 
position of, 80, 268; charge made by, 
82, 83 : retreat of, 83 ; prisoners taken 
from, 98, 279; recruiting of. 111; 
address by officers of, 124; sending of, 
for supplies, 153 ; Confederate flag 



found by, 182; service of, 211, 268, 
269, 386 

Company E, Sixth Iowa Infanti^y, num- 
ber of men in, 6, 7 ; date of muster 
of, 6, 7; officers of, 6, 7, 111, 130, 
164, 390; order received by, relative 
to securing fire wood, 22 ; aid of mem- 
bers of, in capturing Confederate pris- 
oners, 54; position of, 78, 268; ser- 
vice of, at Shiloh, 84 ; casualties in, 
84, 98, 99, 157, 202, 213, 241, 242, 
268, 279, 286, 294, 307, 318, 370, 
435: prisoners taken from, 99, 437; 
expedition of troops of, 157; promo- 
tion of members of, 390 

Company F, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 7 ; date of muster of, 
7; officers of, 7, 130, 164, 317, 390, 
391, 398, 428; march of, to Syracuse, 
52; casualties in, 79, 80, 99, 213, 
214, 217, 218, 241, 242, 267, 268, 
279, 294, 307, 317, 318, 329, 370, 
371, 428, 437; prisoners taken from, 
99, 279, 437; service of, 211; road 
examined by, 222 ; advance by, 267 ; 
position of, 268 

Company G, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 7 ; date of muster of, 
7; officers of, 7, 116, 130, 138, 164, 
390, 391; position of, 78, 268; casual- 
ties in, 99, 100, 213, 217, 241, 242, 
268, 282, 294, 295, 306, 307, 311, 
317, 318, 329, 435; prisoners taken 
from, 100, 243, 437; advance made 
by, 267; activities of, 268, 269 

Company H, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 7 ; date of muster of, 
7; officers of, 7, 130, 138, 164, 231, 
390, 391; order received by, 82; pris- 
oners taken from, 100, 243, 437; cas- 
ualties in, 100, 213, 242, 268, 271, 
279, 286, 295, 317, 318; expedition 
by troops of, 157; service of, 231, 437; 
Confederates attacked by, 267 

Company I, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 7 ; date of muster, 7 ; 
officers of, 7, 8, 80, 130, 138, 164, 

310, 391; advance of, 16, 267; battle- 
field visited by, 43 ; sei-vice of, as 
guards, 62, 171; skirmishes of, 78; 
casualties in, 80, 100, 202, 204, 205, 
213, 214, 241, 242, 279, 286, 295, 
306, 311, 317, 330, 370, 371, 437, 
464, 465 ; charge by, 82, 83 ; retreat 
of, 83; prisoner from, 101, 243; 
transfer of, 194; road examined by, 
222 

Company K, Sixth Iowa Infantry, num- 
ber of men in, 8; date of muster of, 
8 ; Adjutant-General's report relative 
to, 8; officers of, 8, 130, 164, 192, 317, 
390, 391; advance of, 16, 267; send- 
ing of, to front, 78; formation of, in 
battle line, 80; prisoners taken from, 
101, 192, 243; casualties in, 101, 213, 
217, 241, 242, 243, 268, 279, 295, 

311, 318, 329, 370; expedition by 
troops of, 157 

Companv drill, participation in, 26, 40, 

132, 149, 171, 185, 216, 441 
Concerts, giving of, by band, 123, 133 



INDEX 



505 



Confederacy, support of, m Miss9uri, 30, 
44 45- plans to advance against, 52, 
60'- efforts of, to secure victory, 64, 
167; destruction of fleet of, 125; pans 
awOTOved by, 154; officers of, 160 
1I7' IlaveiT in, 168; warning issued 
to relative to treatment of negroes, 
168- Grant's order respected by, ibb, 
currency of, 226, 451; conscription 
bv 248; Union troops m, 261, dy-, 
military leaders of, 369; defeat of, 
393 481- price of newspapers m, 

C^de^'^r^s^^ of (see Davis, 

ConfetZ^e anny. boot by officer of 26; 
order to advance to, 32 locat on 01, 
43; discouragement of, 64; PieP^J^f. 
tion of, for battle of Shiloh 60, 7o 

445 458; assault made by, 85, .^-w, 
3I0; organization of 95; casualties 
in 96 243; retreat of, 117, 1^0, i6U, 
486- inspection of. 120; Position of, 
127 128 270, 336, 436, 449; sus- 
pension of officers of, 143 ; attack on 
183 198 237, 258, 261; surrender 
of 198 447, 452, 459; river guarded 
by', 202; activities of, 232; advantages 
gained by, 243; citizens of Tennessee 
in, 248; conditions in, 258, 2o9, -61, 
fortifications of, 284, 299, 302, 380, 
396- religious enthusiasm ni. ^J^°' 
political altitude of, f^; attitude of, 
toward possession of Atlanta 335, 
destruction of bridge b\, 4Zi, t^-' , 
ConfSSe barra^ll destruction of, 452 
Confederate generals, efficiency of, 370 
Confederate infantry, activities of <8 
Confederate officers efforts of, t<) secuie 
victory, 64; conference of. at J^hiloli, 
75; taking of, as prisoners, 13J, 231, 
285- communication written b> , Zrfa, 
list of, 263; disagreement among, -70 
casualties among, 278, 284 324, ser 
vice of, 418; conditions of, 463 
Confederate rangers, activities of, -'O 
Confederate soldier, Union officer killed 

bv, 305 » no 74 

ConWera.0 soldiers, miniber o|. ^3-,J^4 

party in honor' of return of, 54; sight 
Xby Union forces fO; concentra- 
tion of, 64, 66; defeat of, 64, 198, 224, 
238, 3'07, 313, 342: engagements wi^h, 
64, 430; surrender of, 65, 95, yo, 
198 222; attacks made oy-^"'' ^V 
170 179 187, 207, 304, 309, 311, 
3I2', 366, 367,' 380,. 381, 408; dogs 
belonging to. at Union outposts. 69 
soS heard by. 69; organization ot 
72 323- report concennng, at feniion, 
11 75 76. 86, 90, 101; activities of, 
78', 328, 432; casualties among, 86, 
OK ini 111 121, 307, 311, 312, 
0^5 ^°40 343. 370 435; retreat of. 
Is '9! 95, 96, 110, 113, 152, 180, 



186 214 238, 267, 269, 270, 271, 
282, 29i: 298 299. 303, 323, 325, 
365 367, 402, 403, 406, 407, 408, 
409- criticism of, 96; cowardice 01, 
96- plunder looted from Union hy, 
96'; burial of. 102; camp occ-upied by, 
103; hospitals for, 106; bugle of, 
heard in Union camp, 112; supplies 
abandoned by, 113; commanders of, 
121; campaigns of, 128; punishment 
received by, 143;. shelter of,_ 143; 
evacuation of positions by, 14a, --2. 
•>3S 269 286, 298, 401, 446; forti- 
ficat'ions of. 151, 152, 196, 214, 386 
446; prestige of. 153; confidence of, 
160- review of, 160; capture of, 165, 
324; negroes hanged by, 168; use 01 
negroes by, 176; scouting party of, 
179; ambuscade by, 181; defeat of, 
at Vicksburg, 198; equipment left b^, 
202- Corinth evacuated by, 22Z; posi- 
tion of 284. 314, 366, 445; Chatta- 
hoochee River crossed by, 299; sup- 
plies for, 300; change in campaign ot, 
303 siege conducted by, 315; cavalry 
expedition against, 319; cattle cap- 
tured for. 319; work of artillerj of, 
300 322- selection of, 324; meeting 
of in truce, 335; railroad abandoned 
bv, 347; resistance offered by, 360 
escape of, from Savannah, 386, 
bridge burned by, 407, 408; property 
destroyed by, 412, 413; ^ai-ksman^ 
ship of, 439; sorrow of, ^^t death of 
Lincoln, 449; discouragement ot 451, 
disband'onment of,. 451; condition of, 
463- number of, in Richmond, 46o 
Confederates, Hardee's ^f^'^'-yj"''^,' 
adopted by. 26, 73; .story told by, 

CoSai^^R'^er' Union tvoops along, 406, 

407, 409; crossing of, 409, *1" . 
Congress, resolution Pas-d by, relative 
to Grants ser^nce, 24o , act 01, itia 
dve^'r military affairs 258 ; troops 
reviewed by members of, 471 , addiess 
by member of, 494 . , nn 

Conner, Archibald, death of, 100 
Conroy. Thomas, wound received b> ,^-13 
Conscription, opposition to, 1-1, -*». 
Confederate recruits obtained by. 1-8 
CoSti uUon of the United States preser- 
vation of, 159; authority of, 488, 
obedience to, 491 ^. 

ion troops along, 272, crossiug ui, 

Copt*^'consolidation of troops froni 4 
Corblv .Tacob 1., wound received b%, 30b 
C^^l^tii (Mississippi), railroad to, 6Z 
Confederate forces at, 64, 72, /*, i-". 
1?1 133 135, 142, 143; advance of 
Union troops .to. 65, 66 105 106. 
107 113; Union troops at, lOt-'l^'. 
1^^' 172 177, 221; capture of Con- 
federates ' near, no; fortifications at. 



506 



INDEX 



m, 114; evacuation of, 113, 114, 115 
120, 121, 127, 143, 221, 222; cam 
paig-n against, 114; defense of, 115 
service of General Rosecrans at, 121 
122; march of Union troops from 
125, 126; scouting exi)e(iitions near 
128; guard near, 144; battle at, 196 
338, 394, 464; efficiency of soldiers 
at, 314; display of banners in honor 
of, 475; siege of, 484 

Corinth road, skinnishes on, 67, 68, 69, 
77; Union troops on, 114, 116 

Corn, abundance of, 136, 321, 379 

Corn fodder, taking of, by of&cers, 146 

Corn meal, grinding of, 423 

Corporals, duty of, 119 

Corps badge, adoption of, 442, 443 

Corps flag, adoption of, 443 

Corse, John Murray, commission of, as 
major, 5 ; participation of, in parade, 
11 ; attitude of, relative to use of 
profane language, 26, 27; guns tested 
by, 31; troops drilled by, 37, 123, 
124; order given by, to unfurl flag, 
39; camp visited by, 53; troops in- 
spected by, 53, 137; Sixth Iowa visited 
by, 104; return of, to command, 112; 
regiment commanded by, 129, 136, 
137, 138; relatives entertained by, 
134; service of, as lieutenant-colonel, 
139; expedition led by, 157; promo- 
tion of, 163, 216; troops assembled bv, 
178, 179; cheers led by, 182; order of, 
relative to fatigued soldiers, 183: ser- 
vice of, as colonel, 188 ; command giv- 
en by. 192 ; division commanded by, 
203, 204, 308, 336, 353, 355, 372, 
380, 381, 405, 429, 432, 462, 472; 
skirmishers commanded by, 207; con- 
gi-atulation sent to, 208 ; report made 
by, 208, 343 ; brigade commanded by, 
216, 217, 224, 229, 230, 231, 236, 
238, 239; troops commanded by 218, 
232, 239, 240, 341, 344, 364, 449, 
476; attitude of, toward soldiers, 227; 
service of, as general, 235, 387; 
charge led by, 235, 238, 239; wound 
received by, 236, 237, 239, 343, 344; 
braverj- of, 238, 345; reply of, to 
General French, 342 ; appearance of, 
407 

Corydon, troops organized at, 3, 4 

Cotton, value of, 389; destruction of, 
412 ; production of, 461 

Cotton gin, mention of, 174 

County officers, election of, 135 

Court of Inquirj', Confederate, conven- 
ing of, 160 

Court-martial, convening of, 148 

Courtney, Richard W., wound received 
by, 370, 435; discharge of, from ser- 
vice, 435 

Covington (Georgia), Union troops at, 
356 

Cowan, Captain, battery commanded bv, 
341 

Cowden, William, wound received by, 279 

Cowles, Byron K., selection of, as com- 
missaiT-sergeant, 8 ; service of, as cap- 
tain. 130 

Cox, Jacob, wound received by, 294 



Cox, Jacob D., troops commanded by, 453 

Cox's bridge, skirmishes near, 429 

Craig, Harrison, death of, 213 

Crawfish Springs (Georgia), Union camp 
at, 264 

Crawford, Robert, death of, 101 

Crawford, William B., death of, 98 

Crawfordsville (Indiana), Union troops 
at, 493 

"Crescent City", Union troops on, 59, 
222, 483 ; voyage of, on Tennessee 
River, 60, 61 

Crichton, Peter F., promotion of, 163 ; 
muster of, from service, 349 

Criminal injustice, cases of, 249, 250 

Crocker's Brigade, advance led by, 397; 
apjjearance of, 476 

Cross Key's road, Union troops along, 
302 

Croton, secessionist troops near, 16, 17; 
skirmishes near, 18; troops embarked 
at, 19 

Crow, William G., wound received by, 
294 

Crows, shooting of, by recruits, 46 

Cruelty, officer charged with, 160 

Crump's Landing, Union troops station- 
ed at, 70; topography near, 87; bat- 
tle renewed by troops from, 93 

Cumberland (Virginia), Union troops at, 
480 

Cumberland Gap, control of, 127 

Cumberland Mountains, Union troops 
near, 229, 253 

Cumberland River, Grant's campaign 
along, 54; victory at Fort Donelson 
on banks of, 57; veterans embarked 
on, 259 

Cummins, Francis Markoe, service of, as 
lieutenant-colonel, 27; promotion of, 
28 ; orders given by, relative to Sixth 
Iowa, 78 ; troops directed by, 80 ; ar- 
rest of, 80; discharge of, 112 

Curtis, Samuel R., camp named in honor 
of, 30; message delivered by, 42; 
troops organized under, 52 

Cutting, Henry P., wound received by, 
213 

Cypress Creek, burning of bridge over, 
116; factories along, 225; Union camp 
near, 461 

Dade County (Missouri), passage of 

troops through, 43 
Dallas (Georgia), march of troops to- 
ward, 273; Union troops near, 275, 
282, 283, 487, 490; battle at, 282, 
487; death of Union officer at, 306; 
road to, 340; Confederate army near, 
346; Union victory at, 487 
Dallas and Villa road, crossing of, 275 
Dalton, Alexander, death of, 241 
Dalton (Georgia), Confederate army at, 
261, 262, 265; campaign near, 264, 
265; retreat of Confederates from, 
267; Union army at, 319, 346; de- 
struction of railroad near, 346; sur- 
render of Union troops at, 346 
Davenport, muster of troops from ser- 
vice at, vi ; veterans at, 260; Union 
troops at, 493, 494 



INDEX 



507 



Davis, Enoch, wound received by, 307, 

317 
Davis, Jefferson, appointment of Albert 

Sidney Johnston made by, 72 ; mem- 
ber of staff of, 120; report made to, 

120, 121; Confederate troops reviewed 
by, 160, 336, 339; plantation of, 212 
Davis, Jefferson C, Union troops com- 
manded by, 32, 245, 355, 474; officer 

shot by, 89 
Davis, Robert B., death of, 241 
Davis, Samuel H., wound received by, 

213 
Davis, Uriah M., death of, 268 
Davis, William, death of, 99 
Davis' Cross-Roads, Union troops at, 348 
Davis' Mills, Union troops at, 144, 156, 

178 
Day, Isaac, wound received by, 329 
Davton, L. M., service of, as captain, 

344 
Dayton, consolidation of troops from, 4 
Dead, burial of, 18, 102, 206, 312, 

371; nxunber of, on battlefield, 93, 94 
Deaf, institutions for, 450, 451 
Deas, Z. C, Confederate troops led by, 

315 
Deaths, frequency of, in camps, 217 
Decatur (Georgia), Union troops near, 

302, 329; Confederate troops near, 351 
De Gress, F., Illinois battery commanded 

by, 276, 277, 278, 303, 305, 351, 353, 

409 
De Jarnett's plantation, 467 
Delany, Zeph. F., death of, 99 
Delap, William, death of, 98 
Delong, Gilbert E., capture of, 101 
Democratic party, votes for, 135, 221 
Deniston, Wilson D., service of, as cap- 
tain, 4, 8 
Denver, J. W., troops commanded by, 

139, 144, 149, 155; troops reviewed 

by, 171 
Department of the Cumberland, service 

of, 219 
Department of the South, expeditions 

made by, 397 
Department of Tennessee, reference to, 

122; passes obtained by member of, 

157 
Department of the West, conununication 

to commander of, 43 
Depots, guarding of, 129, 176 
Deserter, escape of, 349 
Desertion, attempts at, 167 
Des Moines, National Encampment at, v 
Des Moines County, company organized 

in, 3 ; Sixth Iowa Infantry Volunteers 

organized in, 5 ; assignment of troops 

from, to Company I, 7 
Des Moines County Fair Grounds, se- 
lection of, as camp ground, 5 
Des Moines Rapids (Mississippi River), 

low water at, 14 
Des Moines River, secessionists on banks 

of, 15, 16; railroad on banks of, 17; 

troops near, 18, 483 
Des Moines Valley Railroad, secessionist 

troops near station on, 16; troops 

transported by, 16 



Devore, Benjamin F., wound received by, 

307 
Devore, Elijah D., service of, 437 
Diary, keeping of, by Marcellus Westen- 

haver, vii 
Dickerman, Willard A., Union troops 
commanded by, 275; death of, 278, 331 
Dickey, T. Lyle, cavalry directed by, 155 
Diehl, John, wound received by, 213 
Dillon's Perry, Union troops at, 379 
Diplomatic Corps, troops reviewed by 

members of, 471 
Disabled soldiers, care of, 384, 397, 441, 

453 
Discharges, frequency of, 163 
Ditto, John, capture of, 100 ; wound 

received by, 100, 242 
Ditto, Michael, death of, 311 
Dixie, troops started to, 14 ; letter rela- 
tive to, 173-175 
Dodge, Grenville M., Union troops com- 
manded by, 149, 155, 263, 309; 
wound received by, 318 
Dodge, John W., service of, 437 
Dog, shooting of, 151 
Dogs, approach of, from enemy's camp, 

69 
DoUard, Peter, activities of, 255 
Donsay, Charles F., wound received by, 

371 
Douglas, Joseph M., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 7, 130 
Douglas, Stephen A., candidacy of, for 

President, 226 
Dourty, John, loss of, in action, 214 
"Do^vn on the Swanee River," singing 

of, 380 
Draft law, evasion of, 349 (see also Con- 
scription ) 
Drake, F. M., appointment made by, viii 
Dress parades, holding of, 11, 12, 45, 
156, 185, 192, 489; guns tested in, 31 
Drewry's Bluff, Union troops at, 464 
Drill, troops engaged in, 156, 218, 389; 

proficiency attained in, 456 
Drugs, securing of, from quartermaster, 

49 
Di-ummer boy, wound received by, 67, 68 
Drunkenness, officer charged with, 160 
Dugdown Mountain, Union troops at, 352 
Dumfries (Virginia), Union troops at, 

466, 468 
"Dunbar", arrival of, 234 
Duncan, James B., death of, 98 
Duncan farm, mention of, 365 
Dupree, Allen, wound received by, 317 
Durham's Station, meeting of ofBcers at, 

454 
Dwellings, burning of, 204, 210 

Early Grove (Mississippi), Union troops 

at; 187, 190, 221 
Earthworks, erection of, 49, 108, 266, 

313, 383, 396, 401, 407, 431 (see also 

Fortifications) 
East Chickamauga (Georgia), Union 

troops at, 234 
East Chickamauga Creek, Union troops 

at, 233; crossing of, 238 
East Chickamauga River, Union camp 

near, 233 



508 



INDEX 



East Macon (Georgia), Confederate 

troops at, 369 
East Point (Georgia), Union troops near, 

319, 329, 335, 336 
Eastpoint (Tennessee), Union troops at, 

222 
Eastport (Mississippi), Union troops at, 

224; rations issued at, 229 
Eden (Georgia), Union troops near, 378 
Eden Court House, Union camp near, 

Edisto River, Confederates along, 403; 
skirmishes along, 404; Union troops 
on, 405, 487 

Edwards, Eugene E., sei-\'ice of, as lieu- 
tenant, 6, 130 

Egbert, Andrew J., wound received by, 
98, 293 

Eighteenth Alabama Infantry, assault 
made by, 90 

Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, encamp- 
ment of. 25 

Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, officers of, 
124 

Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry, service 
of, 341 

Eighth Iowa Infantry, assignment of, to 
brigade, 34 ; report of retreat of, 53 

Eighth Missouri Infantry, assignment of, 
to brigade, 108; advance made by, 110 

Eldora, company organized at, 2, 4; 
assignment of troops from, to Company 
C, 6 

Election, holding of, among Iowa troops, 
135, 158, 221, 352 

Eleventh Army Corps, service of, 245, 
393 

Eleventh Iowa Infantry, appearance of, 
in parade, 476 

Elk River, Union troops on, 228 

Elliott, Robert W., wound received by, 
213, 295 

Ellis, Joseph, wound received by, 329, 
370 

Elrick, Thomas J., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 130, 164; woiind received by, 
307; death of, 311 

Ely, David C, enlistment of, 4; service 
of, as wagon -master, 31 

Emancipation Proclamation, issuing of, 
158; opposition to, 170 

Engineer troops, strength of, 363; com- 
mander of, 363 

Englislmian, plantation ownied by, 269, 
270 

Ennis, Thomas J., service of, as adjutant, 
51, 53, 54, 129; mistake of, 52; arrest 
made by, 80 ; activities of, at Sliiloh, 
91 ; confidence of regiment gained by, 
91 ; troops commanded by, 137, 267, 
292; promotion of, 163; bravery of, 
238; wound received by, 241: charac- 
ter of, 253; service of, as major, 280, 
306; illness of, 297; return of, to 
service, 300; death of, 310, 331; 
horse of, 428 

Epidemics, prevalence of, in camps, 49 

Equipment, lack of, in camps, 23, 28, 
245, 246; supply of, 31, 63, 64, 103, 
128, 141, 162, 177, 185, 195, 351, 



352, 389; abandonment of, 33, 271 
destruction of, in battle, 102 ; assemb 
ling of, 212; arrival of, 213, 260 
carrying of, 233 ; storage of, in camp 
264; shipment of, to Chattanooga, 352 
sending of, to Fort McAllister, 383 
384 
Erickson, Charles A., wound received bv, 

317 
Eriksson, Erik McKinley, volume edited 

by, X 
Etowah River, Confederate troops along, 
271; Union troops along, 272, 273; 
railroad bridge over, 345 ; crossing of, 
346 
Euharlee Creek, Union camp on, 273 
Evans, Oliver P., death of, 98, 99 
Ewing, Hugh, division commanded bv, 
224, 231, 232, 234, 240, 257; report 
by, 231, 232 
Expeditions, conducting of, against Con- 
federate soldiers, 165 
Explosion, accident resulting from, 416, 

422 
Exposure, troops subjected to, 61 
Ezra Chapel, Union victoi-y at, 487, 490 
Ezra Church, Union troops near, 309; 
loss of Confederates at, 324 

Factories, destnictiou of, 300 

Fairburn (Georgia), Union troops near, 
321 

Fairfax Court House (Virginia), Union 
troops at, 465 

Falkner, W. C, Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 154, 165, 172 

Falling Creek, Union troops along, 429 

Famine, prevention of, 491 

Far River, crossing of, 461 

Farewell addresses, delivery of, 485 

Farewells, saying of, 489, 494 

Fast, Orlando J., ser^'ice of, 430 

Fayette Mills, Union camp at, 228 

Fayetteville (North Carolina), march to. 
409-424 ; Union troops near, 423, 
424; description of, 425, 426 

Fayetteville (Tennessee), Union troops 
at, 228 

Ferguson, S. W., troops commanded by, 
227 

FeiTee, John C, wound received by, 242, 
268 

Ferry, Franklin, death of, 101 

Fever, prevalence of, 26, 49, 58, 101, 
104, 149, 299 

Field hospitals, establisliment of, 272 ; 
troops in, 297, 301, 331; need of, 299 
(see also Hospitals) 

Field works, erection of, 378 

Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, jjosition of, 
at Shiloh, 85, 86 

Fifteenth Army Corps, orders relative to, 
149, 351; advance of, 199, 244, 276, 
277, 327, 356, 376, 377, 385, 398, 
405, 407, 413, 421; service of, 212, 
238, 245, 250, 252, 266, 298, 306, 
319, 379, 387, 394, 403, 422, 445; 
composition of, 212, 224, 336, 351, 
355; camp of, 219, 245, 263, 347, 
359, 375, 423, 425, 452, 463, 466; 



INDEX 



)09 



commander of, 224, 263, 308 479; 
reenforcements of, 233; casualties in, 
240 311, 324, 325, 387, 435; prop- 
erty destroyed by 245; praise given 
to by General Sherman, 251, 473 
return of, to Chattanooga, 257; arrival 
of at Missionary Ridge, 260; Position 
of 275, 276, 283, 286, 304, 309, 321, 
\oo 303 325, 339, 348, 351, 357, 
379' 382', 383, 397, 429, 431, 439, 
446 473; attacks on, 275, 276, 305, 
309' 312; Confederate guns heard by, 
280'- transfer of, to Acworth, 282; 
officers of, 344, 387, 394; enthusiasm 
in camp of, 352; siipply train in 
charge of, 372; arrival of, at Colum- 
bia 411- river crossed by, 4ZZ, 4Z4 , 
review of troops in, 434, 455; capture 
of members of, 437; houses built by, 
463- march made by, 463, 464, 467, 
475; parade of, 471, 472, 476; badge 
of, 473 
Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, assignment 
of to brigade, 194. 263; commander 
of! 229; service of, 252; service of 
officer of, 313 
Fifth Armv Corps, river crossed by, 471 
Fifth Division, number of men in, 7b, 

108; commander of, 132 
Fifth Iowa Infantr>% assembling of, at 
Camp Warren, 5; character of troops 
in, 9; departure of, from Camp War- 
ren, 12; orders received for, 15; re- 
enforcements from troops of, 18 
Fifth Kentucky Infantry, activities of, 
85, 86, 323 , 

Fifth Missouri Infantry, consolidation ot, 

297 
Fifth Tennessee Infantry, position of, at 

Shiloh, 85; commander of, 86 
Fiftieth Alabama Infantry, position held 

t>y- 315 
Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, location of, 341 
Fifty-first Tennessee Infantry, assault on 

Union troops made by, 90 
Fifty-second Tennessee Infantry, assault 

on Union troops made by, 90 
Fiftv-third Ohio Infantry, assignment of, 

to brigade. 108, 149, 194, 263 
Fifty-third Tennessee Infantr}% assign- 
ment of. to brigade, 311 . 
Fiftv-fourth Ohio Infantry, assignment 
of, to brigade, 108; battle line formed 
by, 110; camp of. 140 . 
Fiftv-fifth Illinois Infantry, assipiment 
of, to brigade, 108; advance led by, 

Fifty-fifth Tennessee Infantrj', assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 311 
Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, location 
of, 341 . . 

Fiftv-seventh Ohio Infantry, assignment 
of, to brigade, 108: battle line formed 
bv, 110 . ,„„ 

Fire-places, use of. by Union troops lb- 
Firewood, securing of, 22 146 147 
First Alabama Cavalry (Union), capture 

of members of, 227; recruits of, -;)o 
First Alabama Infantry, assignment of, 
to brigade, 311 -..■ ^t 

First Brigade, First Division, position of, 



357, 422, 472; commander of, 376; 
service of, 378, 407, 412; advance 
made by, 410; camp of, 411; assign- 
ment of troops to, 459; return of, to 
Louisville, 479 
First Brigade, Fourth Division, composi- 
tion of. 263; position of, 266, 275, 
285, 302, 304, 309; activities of, 305; 
transfer of members of, 313 
First Brigade, Fifth Division, battle line, 
formed by, 77, 108; attack made by, 
110; conunander of, 139 
First Brigade, William S. Smith's, or- 
ganization of, 194 
First Corps, commander of, 72, 262; 
pasition of, in battle line, 74; strength 
of, 262 
First Division, advance by, 208, 268, 
401, 402, 408, 409, 410, 417, 418, 
420', 429, 453 ; orders recei^ved by, 
234; commander of, 263, 353, 375, 
472; position of, 266, 304, 309, 327, 
346 350, 357, 359, 361, 364, 376, 
377 379, 381, 383, 399, 403, 404, 
405', 406, 423. 429, 431. 434, 439, 
446, 472; activities of, 269, 292, 350, 
432; casualties in, 330; troops in, 
336, 366, 472 ; review of troops in, 
33?! 387; march made by. 339, 353, 
453 460, 468, 470; camp of, 347, 
356 372, 375, 394, 396, 399, 400, 
403! 406, 422, 427, 428, 446, 447, 
449, 452, 461. 463, 466, 471, 479; 
fortifications of, 373: arrival of, at 
Savannah, 386; badge of, 443; flag 
of, 443 ; river crossed by, 462 ; repre- 
sentatives of, 476 
First Illinois Artillery, service of. 18 < 
First Iowa Battery, officer of, 263; ser- 
vice of, 277, 350 
First Iowa Cavalrj-, colonel of, 5 
First Iowa Infantry, promotion of officers 

of, 28 
First Michigan Engineers, 473 
First Missouri Engineers, strength of, 

375; mention of, 473 
First Texas Legion, service of, 202 
First-lieutenants, names of, 6-8 
Fish, Charles H., service of, as signal 

officer. 344 
Fishing Creek, Union Camp along, 461 
Fitch Wm. C, wound received by, Z\).i 
Fithian, Daniel P., taking of. as prisoner, 

100 
Fitz-Henry, Daniel, taking of, as pris- 
oner, 100; wound received by, 279 
Flag, adoption of. 443 
Flag, Confederate, finding of, by Union 
troops, 182 ^ -c i 

Flag, United States, firing on at Fort 
Sumter, 1; unfurling of 39, 247 
reflection of, 50; flying of. at Shiloh, 
84; establishing of, 159, 160 
Flag of truce, request made under, IS, 

sending of, to Savannah 385 
Flags, display of, 84, 381, 444, 474, 481 
Flat Rock Church, Union camP »', 418 
Fleming, Charles, death of 437 438, 

rescue of. from Confederates, 43« 
Flint River, crossing of, 321 329 
Floral wreaths, presentation of, 47.-, ^m 



510 



INDEX 



Florence (Rlississippi), factories near, 
225 ; Union troops near, 225, 226, 
227; description of, 226 
Florence (Soutli Carolina), Union troons 
at, 422 ^ 

Florence College, Union camp at, 225 
Florida Brigade, composition of, 278 
Flour, sharing of, with citizens, 210 
Folk's bridge. Union troops at, 447 
Food, provision of, for troops, 5, 11, 28, 
67, 348, 440; purchase of, by govern- 
ment, 120; scarcity of, 384 
Foot, Perry L., woujid received by, 100 
Foote, Andrew H., victory of, 60 
Foote, Perry L. (see Foot, Perry L.) 
Foragers, supplies obtained by, 51, 54 

135, 136, 150, 153, 163, 182, 225 
229, 348, 358, 359, 375, 379, 403, 
426; casualties among, 401, 419; rail- 
road destroyed by, 422 

Foraging, food obtained by, 51, 54, 135 

136, 150, 153, 163, 182, 229, 348' 
358, 359, 375, 403, 426; Union troops 
engaged in, 150, 153, 173, 435, 436, 
438; dangers encountered in, 163, 249 
417; difSculties of, 417, 420; prohi- 
bition of, 460 

Forced march, hardships encountered in 
41 ' 

Ford, Abraham, wound received by, 213 
Ford, Elam, capture of, 99; wound re- 
ceived by, 213, 242 
Ford, George W., wound received by, 

295 
Ford, Harvey, wound received by, 241 
306; promotion of, 391 ' 

Forrest, Nathan B., service of, as com- 
mander, 72, 154, 156, 165; cavalry 
. corps commanded by, 351 
Forsyth (Georgia), Confederate cavalry 

at, 360 
Fort Argyle, Union troops near, 379 
Fort Darling, inspection of, 464 
Fort Donelson, victory at, 54, 57 64 
65; battle of, 394, 486; display of 
banners in honor of, 475 
Fort Fisher, capture of, 425 
Fort Henry, victory at, 54, 57, 64, 65- 

arrival of troops at, 60 
Fort Jackson, Sixth Iowa at, 386 
Fort McAllister, capture of, by Union 
army, 382; sending supplies to, 383 
384; sei-vice of Fifteenth Army Corps 

Rt, Sot 

Fort Madison, Sixth Iowa Infantry at 
14; commission of officers from, 27 

Fort Pickering, fortifications at, 132- 
inspection of troops at, 133; return 
?i.^®*'^'^ ^°^^'* tO' 138; parade at, 
139; camp at, 140, 142 

Fort Star, construction of, 164, 165, 
171; Union troops near, 172 221- 
salute fired at, 173 

Fort Sumter, firing at, 1, 378; service 
of General Beauregard at, 73 

Fort Thunderbolt, Union troops at, 394 

fortieth Illinois Infantry, assignment of. 
to brigade, 60, 108, 139, 149, issi 
194, 355, 364; position of, 76 78' 
82 285, 310, 366; winter camp of! 
178; service of, 180, 207, 235, 236, 



406; return of, from veteran furlough 
282; casualties in, 292, 310, 330,' 
331; association of, >vith Iowa ti-oops' 
488 ' 

Forty-second Illinois Infantry, transfer 
of soldiers to, 133 

Forty-second Tennessee Infantry, assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 311 

Forty-fifth Article of War, conditions of, 

Forty-sixth Mississippi, service of, 341 
Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, assignment of 
to brigade, 60, 108, 139, 149 183 
194, 263, 275, 355, 364; position of! 
'6, 82, 285, 310, 366; casualties in, 
86, 278, 306, 330, 331; activities of, 
177, 207, 208, 235, 236, 365, 403! 
431 ; departure of, on furlough, 259 ■ 
march of, to Cliattanooga, 263- skirm- 
ishes of, 290; visitors of, 316; relief 
brought by, 326; association of, with 
Iowa troops, 488 
Forty-sixth Tennessee, assignment of to 

brigade, 311 
Forty-eighth Illinois Infantrv-, assignment 
of, to brigade, 194, 263 ; river crossed 
by, 202; service of, 202, 207; death 
of officer of, 306 
Forty-eighth Oliio Infantry, assignment 
of, to brigade, 108; Sixth Iowa re- 
lieved by, 138 
Forty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 311 
Forty-ninth Tennessee, assignment of, to 

brigade, 311 
Fortifications, erection of, 48 107 112 
114, 132, 151, 162, 196,' 222,' 268' 
283, 299, 312, 314, 320, 321 322 
329, 347, 365, 372, 386, 432, 446* 
464; strength of, 115, 339, 398, 421 •' 
work of prisoners on, 132; Confeder- 
ates retreat to, 204; abandonment of, 
by Confederates, 209, 299, 402, 446, 
463 ; holding of, by Union troops', 288! 
323; use of, 381. 385. 431; interest 
of troops in, 463 ; character of, 466 
Forts, erection of. 49, 222; defense of, 

176; repossession of, 489 
Foster, Thomas, wound received bv 279 

294, 329 
Fourteenth Army Corps, service of, 245, 
286, 424, 445; position of, 325, 382 
426, 431, 474; orders received by! 
351; strength of, 355; organization 
of, 393; march by, 413; river crossed 
by, 422; capture of members of, 437- 
parade of, 476 ' 

Fourteenth Texas Infantry, assignment 

of, to brigade, 341 
Fourth Alabama Battalion, activities of 
85 ' 

Fourth Army Corps, commander of, 72, 
296; position of, in battle line, 74- 
sending of, to Tennessee, 351 
Fourth Brigade, commander of, 139- 
formation of, 194 ' 

Fourth Division, commander of 224 
257, 263, 472; orders relative to! 
234; service of, 238, 266, 312, 313 
372; advance of, 244, 327, 376, 419* 
429; location of, 252, 271, 284* 302' 



INDEX 



511 



304 309, 327, 341, 359, 360, 364, 
376 377, 380, 405, 423, 429; strength 
of 253, 254, 255, 476; camp of, 275, 
282, 286, 298, 333, 334, 405, 417, 
429* 449, 452 ; assault made on, 280, 
305*; holding of, in reserve, 283 284; 
march of, 298, 463 ; formation of, 309, 
336 476- fortifications of, 314; re- 
turn of, 318; trenches of, 319; casual- 
ties in, 330; review of troojjs in, 387; 
badge of, 443; flag of. 443; river 
crossed by, 462 . 

Fourth Illinois Infantry, assignment of, 
to brigade, 185 ^ or^. 

Fourth Iowa Infantry, ofacer of, 355, 
assignment of, to brigade, 459 ; appear- 
ance of member of, 476 

Fourth Kentucky Infantry, activities of, 
85, 86; assault made by, 323 

Fourth Minnesota Infantry, service of, 
341 • assignment of, to brigade, 459 

Fourth Mississippi Infantry, service of, 
341 

Fourth of July, celebration of, 124, 197, 

198 
Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, service of. 232 
Fowler's Cave, Union troops at, 256 
Fracker, Edward G., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 164; illness of, 390; resigna- 
tion of, 390 
Franklin County, enlistment of troops in, 

4 
Frazier, Thomas, wound receivea by, 

317, 318 . . V V ..1 ^f 

Fredericksburg (Virginia), battle of, 

393; Union camp near, 467 

Fredericksburg road, Union troops on, 

467 ^ . 0-7. 

Freeman, Jeremiah, capture of, v i , 

wound received by, 97, 241 
Freight cars, use of, in transporting sol- 
diers, 17, 183 
Fremont, Jessie Benton, camp named 
for, 25 . , .. ^ 

Fremont, John C, order of, relative to 
advance of troops, 20; confidence in- 
spired by, 21, 42, 43; purchase ol 
clothing for soldiers by, 24; concen- 
tration of army by, 32; inspection of 
troops by, 34; army of, 40; removal 
of, from command, 42, 43; campaign 
of. 44 
Fremont tents, 25, 48 
French, S. G., division commanded by, 
296 '340, 341; demand made by, 342; 
report of, 342, 343 
French army, location of, 482 
"French leave," taking of, by soldiers, 

167, 482 . 

French's plantation, Union camp on, 464 
Fruit, abundance of, 28, 123, 136, 197, 

225, 321 . 

Fuel, scarcity of, 44; securing of, 48, 

162 
Fugitive slaves, treatment of, 168 
Fullerton, Thomas, death of, 99 
Fulton, Henry, return of, to service, 133 
Furloughs, granting of, to soldiers, 37, 
45, 163, 216, 254, 259. 441, 482; 
troops returned from, 282 



Gadsden (Alabama), Confederate army 

at, 348; Union troops near, 350 
Gage, Captain, battery commanded by, 90 
Gahagan, Stephen J., capture of, 99; 
wound received by, 242, 294; promo- 
tion of, 390; service of, 492 
Gale, Alonzo F., death of, 306 
Gallager, William, wound received by, 

295 
Galland, Washington, service of, as cap- 
tain, 3, 4, 7, 130, 164; capture of, 
100, 130, 164 
Galvin, Michael, regiment commanded by, 

310 , . 

Garden's Corners, Confederates driven 

from, 397; Union camp at, 398 
Gardner, Elihu, wound received by, 99 
Gardner, John, wound received by, 242 
Garfield, James A., report made by, 94; 

brigade commanded by, 94 
Gam, Leonard, loss of, in action, 214 
Garner, Thomas W., capture of, 279 
Garrard, K., cavalry commanded by, ^aa, 

284 
"Gate City" (see Keokuk) 
Gates, Sigismond I., membership of, in 
band, 9; discharge of, from service, 
132 
Gavlesville (Alabama), Confederates near, 

348 
General, duty of, 117, 118 
Georgetown road, encampment along, 44 
Georgia, Confederate commander in, .J5»; 
reenlisted veterans in, 265; lack of 
medical supplies i"- 272 ; military cam- 
paign in, 352, 354, 355, 369, 394 
433 441, 466; abandonment of, by 
Union troops, 354; destruction of rail- 
roads in, 354; militia of, 358, 368, 
369- Union troops in capital of, rfo*, 
casualties among troops of, 368; topo- 
graphv in, 375, 392; Confederate army 
m 427- fortifications in, 431 
Georgia State Line troops, service of, 
368, 369 . 

German language, address in 35<S 

Germantown (Tennessee), Union troops 

in, 125, 140, 184, 191 
Gettysburg (Pennsylvania), Union vic- 
tory at, 198, 205, 393 
Gibson, Randall L., service of, as com- 
mander, 72 , 

Giesy, Henry H Union troops command- 
ed by, 263, 275; death of, 278, 30b, 
331 
Gilbert, Ira W., wound received by, 241 
Gilchi-ist's bridge, Union troops at, 4-4 
Gladden, Adley H., services of, as com- 
mander, 72, 74 ^ ^^ . „., 
Gladfelder, David, death of, 241 
Glen (see Glendale) „ . , . 

Glendale (Mississippi), Union troops at, 

222 
Glenn, John H., death of, 133 
Glenn, Samuel P., service of, as cap- 
tain, 2, 7 . . . icr> 
God, divine interposition of, Iby 
Godfrey, Edward R., loss of, m action, 

213 
Gold, use of, in paying soldiers, 52; 
scarcity of, 134 



512 



INDEX 



Golding, Charles T., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 129, 130; service of, as cap- 
tain, 164; muster of, from service, 349 

Goldsboroug-h (North Carolina), Sher- 
man's army at, 392, 434, 437, 438, 
439, 440, 441, 445, 446; Confederate 
troops at, 436; hospital at, 438; de- 
scription of, 444 

Goodnough, Rufus, service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 7 

Goodwin's mill. Union camp at, 423 

Gordon, Newton J., death of, 293 

Gordon (Georgia), Union troops at, 356, 
372 

Gordon Station (Georgia), Union troops 
at, 364 

Gordon's mines, Union troops at, 230 

Gould, Henry, wound received by, 268 

Governm.6nt, food purchased bj% 120, 
146; responsibility of soldiers to, 147, 
159; constitutionality of, 159; policy 
of, 175, 176; loyalty to, 487 

Governor's mansion (North Carolina), 
possession of, by Union troops, 448 

Grafton (Virginia). Union troops at, 480 

Graham's Station (South Carolina), Un- 
ion camp near, 404 

Grand Army of the Republic, National 
Encampment of, v 

Grand Avenue (St. Louis, Missouri), 
troops marched down, 29 

Grand guard, importance of, 119 

Grand Junction (Tennessee), Union 
troops near, 122, 158, 173, 177. 178, 
183, 221; guarding against attacks 
from, 144; winter camp at, 162-176. 
484; negro refugees in, 170; attack 
on train near, 170, 172; road near, 
171; Confederate troops near, 172 

Granger, Gordon, Union troops com- 
manded by, 246 

Grant, Ulysses S., armv of. 53. 54, 65, 
95, 96, 122, 127, 142, 144, 219, 237, 
338, 394, 450; victory of, 57, 60, 145; 
suspension of, from command, 65 ; 
plans of encampment adopted by, 65 ; 
headquarters of, 70; military service 
of, 71, 122; battle line inspected bv, 
86; consultation held by. 86; staff of, 
88, 469; confidence in,' 88, 215, 243; 
Sixth Iowa troops commanded by, 94. 
115; preparation for advance of troops 
under, 105; criticism of, 114, 166, 
215; service of, at Corinth, 115; troops 
reviewed by, 148, 454, 455, 456; or- 
ders given by, 150, 216, 244, 245, 
470; retreat of troops of, 153; loca- 
tion of troops of, 155, 158; pass 
granted by, 157; confidence of, in 
common i)eople, 166; military plans of, 
166, 243 ; opinion of, relative to con- 
tinuation of war, 167; attitude of. to- 
ward negroes, 167, 168; letter to, 175, 
176, 457; Vicksburg taken by, 193, 
197; note -written by, 199; reinforce- 
ments for, 214; rank of, 223, 258, 
261 ; .surrender to, 447 ; arrival of, 
at Raleigh, 454 ; peace terms approved 
by, 455; greeting of, by troops, 476; 
correspondence of, with Sherman, 478; 
deportment of, 478; service of, 485 



Gravelly Springs (Alabama), Union camp 
near, 224; prisoner taken in, 243 

Gray, Hosea W., service of, as captain, 
2, 6 

Gray, Thomas P., wound received by, 
213; death of, 217 

Graysville (Tennessee), U. S. Grant at, 
245 

Great Pee Dee River, town located on, 
421; crossing of, 422 

Great Swamp, Confederate anny at, 447 

Greathouse, Lucien, death of, 306 

Green, Daniel W., wound received by, 
317 

Green, John. A., wound received by, 100; 
capture of, 100 

Green, Martin, secession troops command- 
ed by, 14, 15, 16, 18 

Green, Oliver S., wound received by, 294 

Green, William F., wound received bv, 
100 

Greenbacks, use of, 52, 134; value of, 
226 

Greensborough (North Carolina), move- 
ment of army toward, 449 ; property 
delivered at, 454 ; message sent to, 454 

Green's Ferry, Union troops at, 313 

Gregg, Isaac, wound received by, 242, 
279 

Grenada (Mississippi), Confederate 
troops at, 143, 152, 156, 160, 186; 
movement of Union troops toward, 150 

Gresham, W. Q., division commanded by, 
283 

Grierson, Benjamin H.. troops command- 
ed by, 139, 149, 155, 172, 173, 177, 
185; raid made by, 173, 183, 186 

Griffiths, H. H., battery commanded by, 
263 

Griggs, Charles H., death of, 213 

Grimes, John T., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 7, 130, 269, 280; wound received 
by, 80, 99, 242; bravery of, 238; 
death of, 286 

Grist mills, picket guards stationed near, 
62 ; operation of, by Union troops, 423 

Griswoldville (Georgia), battle of, 355- 
371, 484; Confederates at, 365, 369; 
sers'ice of Fifteenth Armv Corps at, 
387; Union troops at, 490 

Guard duty. Union troops engaged in, 
112; exposure experienced in, 259 

Guard house, prisoners in, 55, 131 

Guard mount, holding of, 53, 123, 171 

Guards, stationing of, at Athens, Mis- 
souri, 18; establishment of, 63, 129; 
increase in numbers of, 68 ; activities 
of, 68, 69; orders to, 109, 117-120; 
skirmishes of, 447 

Guerilla band, capture of membei-s of, 
171 

Guirk (Confederate officer), troops under, 
172 

Gulf of Mexico, opening of navigation to, 
20, 21; mention of, 165, 219, 287 

Gulf Railroad, guarding of, 381 

Gummere, CuiTency A., wound received 
by, 98, 293 

Gunboat No. 32, Union troops on, 224 

Gunboats, use of, 88, 92, 125, 135, 195 

Guun, John A., wound received by, 97 



INDEX 



513 



I Guns, issuing of, to soldiers, 31; de- 
scription of, 31; testing of, 31; mim- 
ber of, 138; firing of, by Union troops, 
385 

Gutches, George, music led by, 137; in- 
jury received by, 428 

Guvton (Georgia,), Union troops near, 
378 

Haddock, Walter, wound received by, 

294, 370 . 

Haggertv, Jonathan L., wound received 
by, 99; death of, 217 
•J "Hail Columbia," playing of, by band, 51 
Halifax road. Union troops on, 461 
Hall, Hiram W., Union troops command- 
ed bv, 235, 236, 355, 356; wound re- 
ceived by, 310, 331 
Hall, William D., death of, 293 
Hall, William H., wound received by, 101 
Halleck, Henrv W., Union forces com- 
manded by, 45, 65, 105, 115, 127; 
message of congratulation received 
from, 61 ; plans of encampment ap- 
proved by, 65; advance led by, 106; 
criticism of, 114; strength of troops 
under, 115; calling of, to Washington, 
121; letter written by, 175, 176, 442; 
lett<>r sent to. 441 ; peace terms criti- 
cised by, 457 ; Sherman criticised by, 
477 
Hallidav, Joseph S., service of, as cap- 
tain, 3 ; service of, as lieutenant, 7, 
130; speech by, 55; wound received 
bv, 80, 100, 130; absence of, 130 
Haliock, Uri, capture of, 98; wound re- 
ceived by, 241 
Hamburg Crossing, Union camp near, 69 
Hamilton. Charles S., Union troops com- 
manded by, 143, 155 
Hamilton, William J., wound received 

by, 98, 268 
Hampton, Wade, destruction of home of, 
417; troojjs commanded by, 418, 427, 
445 
Hannah's Creek, skirmishes along, 433 
Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, 

guarding of, by Union troops, 15 
Hannum, John, wound received by, 242 ; 

death of, 295 
Hanover Court House (Virginia), Union 

camp at, 466 
Harbeson. William M., wound received 

bv, 213, 293 
Hardee, William J., book by, 26, 73; 
troops commanded by, 72, 74, 85, 262, 
276, 277, 278, 307, 324, 328, 418, 
445': militarv training of, 73; battle 
of Shiloh described by, 76, 84, 85; 
coinnient of, on Confederate troops, 
85; service of, 115, 369, 418; mes- 
sage sent by, 239; direction given by, 
240; flag of truce refused by, 385: 
report of, relative to condition of 
swamps, 392; retreat of troops under, 
421 
Hardee's Military Tactics, use of, 26, 40, 

73 
Hardin, Monroe, death of, 97 
Hardin County, military company in, 2 ; 



assignment of troops from, to Company 
C, 6 

Hare, Joseph W., wound received by, 99 

Harland, Willard H., commission of, as 
lieutenant, 6 ; service of, as Assistant 
Adjutant-General, 129 

Harn, Samuel D., wound received by, 241 

Harper's Ferry (West Virginia), Union 
troops at, 480 

Harpman, John, wound received by, 100 

Harris (Confederate officer), troops com- 
manded by, 32 

Harris, Abraham B., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 6; service of, as captain, 130 

Harris, H. B., aid of, in capturing Con- 
federate prisoners, 54 

Han-is, Henry A., wound received by, 
293 

Harris, Isham G., service of, as Govern- 
or of Tennessee, 74 

Harrison, John L. (see Harrison, John 

R.) 
Harrison, John R., death of, 98 
Harrow, William, division commanded 
by, 257, 259, 263, 266, 284, 285, 309, 
318, 330, 336, 347; report made by, 
312; troops organized by, 312; com- 
ment on service of, 313 ; instruction 
received bv, 328 ; esteem of soldiers 
for, 334 
Hart, Samuel, death of, 267 
Hass, Charles, capture of, 100 
Hatch, Edward, orders received by, 150; 
brigade conmianded by, 185, 187; ser- 
vice of, as colonel, 188; camp of, 189, 
190; property protected by, 190 
Hatchie River, encampment along, 122; 

crossing of, 221 
Hatton, Levi S. T., wound received by, 

99 
Haversacks, loss of, 91 
Haw River, Union troops near, 449 
Hawkins, Adelbert, discharge of, from 

service, 132 
Hayes, David J., death of, 98 
Haynes, Eugene C, manuscript submitted 
to, v; promotion of, 317; wound re- 
ceived by, 318; absence of, from duty, 
390 
Haynes, Glenn C, service of, v 
Hazen, William B., division commanded 
by 318, 336, 353, 355, 379, 381, 382, 
409, 413, 417, 429, 430, 462, 472; 
service of, as general, 387; appear- 
ance of, 407; command assigned to, 
479 
Health, condition of, among troops, 66, 

123 333 
Heatk; Joshua W., death of, 306, 331 
Heaven, belief in, 169 
Hein, Zachariah, woun(» received by, 293 
Helena (Arkansas), Union victory at, 

195, 198, 219 
Henderson, Robert, consultation with, v 
Henderson's mill. Union camp at, 302 
Hendrix, Grandison, wound received by, 

99 
Henrv County, militarj- company from, 

3, 4, 8 
Henry plantation, foraging expedition 
sent to, 256 



514 



INDEX 



"Henry Von Phool," Union troops on, 

194 
Hermann (Missouri), wine given soldiers 

at, 59 
Hernando (jMississippi), Confederate 

troops at, 144 ; Union troops near, 

177, 191 

Hernando road. Union troops on, 140 
Herron, James H., wound received by, 

100 
Hess, George W., death of, 99 
Hess, James H., wound received by, 98 
Hibbard, George W., wound received by, 

241, 279 
Hickcox, James A., death of, 213 
Hickenlooi)er, Harrison, wound received 

by, 242 
Hicks, Stephen G., assignment of troops 
under, to brigade, 60; Union troops 
commanded by, IS'd, 194 
Hight, James, death of, 99 
Hildebrand, brigade commanded by, 69, 

70 
Hill, Benjamin J., Confederate troops led 

by, 86; description of battle by, 86 
Hill, D. H., division commanded by, 445 
Hill's house, Union camp at, 199, 200 
Hillsboro, consolidation of troops from, 4 
Hillsborough (Georgia), Union troops 

near, 362, 448 
Hillyer, William S., pass signed by, 157 
Hindman, Thomas C, sei^ice of, as com- 
mander, 72, 74, 311 
Hinton, Thomas, death of, 294 
Hirt, Charles, membership of, in band, 9 
Historical Memorial, and Art Department 
(Des Moines), manuscript submitted 
to, v 
Hiwassee River, crossing of, 246; Union 

troops along, 250 
Hobbs, James H., wound received by, 

213 329 
Hogs, 'taking of, 146, 147, 150 
Holland, Michael, capture of, 437 
Holly Springs (Mississippi), Union troops 
near, 124, 143, 144, 150, 153, 155, 
156, 179, 187; expedition to, 126; 
Union guards at, 128; Confederate 
troops at, 144, 150, 160; attack on 
Union forces at, 150; destruction of 
supplies at, 152, 154, 155; Confeder- 
ate victory at, 160; road leading to, 

178, 179; condition of, 179 
Holman's bridge. Union troops at, 404 
Holmes, George F., wound received by, 

98; service of, as lieutenant, 130; ser- 
vice of, as captain, 164; troops led by, 
267; muster of, from service, 349 
Holmes, Timothy, death of, 282 
Home Guards, preparation for advance 

of, 19 
Homesickness, epidemic of, in camp, 50 
Homeward march, start of, 457 ; orders 

for, 460 
Hood, John B., Confederates commanded 
by, 262, 274, 303, 324, 336, 339, 340, 
346, 348, 351, 354, 445; Atlanta 
evacuated by, 328; pursuit of, 333- 
354, 387, 484; reply of, to Sherman, 
335; truce accepted by, 335; military 
campaign of, 339 ; location of army 
under, 342; raid made by, 344 



Hooker, Joseph, capture made by, 232; 
service of, as general, 234 ; confidence 
of north in, 243 ; corps commanded 
by, 267, 274, 280 
Hope, R. F., Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 445 
Hopeville, troops organized at, 3 
Horses, loss of, in battle, 102, 367; 
care of, 119; capture of, 180, 184, 
189, 191, 229, 230, 358, 359, 379, 
436; breaking of, for service, 184, 
185; use of, by troops, 232; giving 
of, to officers, 455 
Hoskins, Robert, wound received by, 294 
Hospital boat, wounded men sent to, 94 
Hospital tents, use of, 465 
Hospitals, establishment of, 26, 272; 
soldiers in, 31, 45, 49, 97, 104, 297, 
301, 331, 397, 441; Sixth Iowa troops 
in, 97; lack of provisions in, 121; 
burning of, by Confederates, 155 ; 
need of, 299 
Hostilities, beginnings of, 13-24; suspen- 
sion of, 452 
Houses, description of, in south, 174; 

building of, by troops, 463 
Houtz, George, wound received by, 295 
Howard, Oliver F., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 164; muster of, from service, 
349 
Howard, Oliver O., Union troops com- 
manded by, 245, 308, 328, 332, 355, 
445; character of, 251; report made 
by, 296; troops reviewed by, 325, 337, 
463 ; comment of, relative to Army of 
the Tennessee, 332 ; messenger sent 
by, to Indianapolis, 352; property de- 
stroyed by, 373; orders to, 379; cap- 
ture of fort witnessed by, 383 ; ap- 
pearance of, 407 ; service of, at Co- 
lumbia, 413; headquarters of, 423; 
presence of, in camp, 429; staff offi- 
cers of, 447; position of, 448; direc- 
tions issued by, 459; service of, 473 
Howe, Henry M., death of, 97 
Hubler, John, death of, 286 
Hudson River, reference to, 225 
Hufford, John W., wound received by, 

100 
Hufford, William T., death of, 100 
Hughes, William M., death of, 311 
Hull, Austin A., death of, 306 
Hunnell, Francis B., death of, 213 
Hunter, David, troops commanded by, 

32, 40, 42 
Hunter, John M., wound received by, 99 
Huntsville (Alabama), Union troops at, 

252 
Huntsville road. Union troops on, 224, 

226, 227; topography near, 227 
Hurlbut, Stephen A., troops commanded 
by, 70, 127, 135, 149, 172, 183; ar- 
rival of, at Memphis, 125; orders given 
by, 190 
Hurt, Charles, discharge of, from ser- 
vice, 133 
Hussey, Charles, promotion of, 391 
Huston, Charles A., wound received by, 

241. 268 
Hutchison, Benjamin H., wound received 
by, 101 



INDEX 



515 



Hutchison, James M., wound received 

by, 370 
Huts, description of, 175 
Hjinns, chanting of, 169 

Illinois, activities of troops from, 110; 
plan of invasion of, by Confederates, 
128 

Illness, prevalence of, in camp, 31, 37 

Indian Springs (Georgia), Union camp 
at, 360 

Indiana, encampment of troops from, 25 ; 
artillery of, 76; bravery of troops from, 
89; casualties among troops from, 93; 
plan for invasion of, 128 

Indianapolis (Indiana), veterans at, 260; 
money sent to, 352, 353 

Indians, plan for insurrection among, 
128 

Infantry, organization of, 3 ; attack made 
by, 78 ; service of, as mounted troops, 
185, 187, 283, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402 

Ingram, Albin L., wound received by, 
293; promotion of, 390 

Insects, soldiers annoyed by, 299 

Inspector-General, Assistant, camp vis- 
ited by, 53 

Intrenchments, Confederates stationed 
behind, 209 (sees also Earthworks and 
Fortifications) 

Iowa, casualties in troops from, vii, 49, 
50, 86, 93, 96-102, 116, 129, 217, 
218, 236, 240-243, 276, 278-280, 286, 
292-295, 306, 307, 310, 311, 317, 318, 
329, 330, 331, 349, 368, 370, 371, 
416, 428, 435; report of Adjutant- 
General of, ix; news of war received 
in, 2; troops from, 2, 3, 4, 12, 45; 
tax on resources of, 5 ; Camp Warren 
visited by citizens of, 12; fear of Con- 
federate troops in, 14, 15, 16, 17; 
clothing of soldiers in, 20; transpor- 
tation of troops from, 21; officer com- 
missioned by Governor of, 27 ; sick 
soldiers returned to, 37; shipping of 
clothing to, 67; legislature of, i35; 
soldiers' visit in, 163, 484 ; soldiers' 
vote for officers of, 221, 352; trans- 
fer of veterans from, to Georgia, 265; 
skii-mishes of troops from. 278; death 
of officer in, 349; service of officer 
from, 441 ; appearance of troops from, 
453, 476; furlough of troops in, 484; 
activities of soldiers from, 490; return 
of soldiers to, 490 
Iowa, Governor of, visit of, in camp, 316, 

317: commissions signed by, 317 
Iowa City, volume published at, x; troops 
organized at, 4 ; assignment of troops 
from, to Company G, 7 
Iowa Falls, enlistment of troops in, 4 
Ioicegian,_ The, account of battle pub- 
lished in, vi 
Ironworks, destruction of, 232 
Irwinton (Georgia), Union camp at, 372 
Iseminger, Daniel, service of, as officer, 
1 2, 6, 52, 80, 82; death of, 82, 83, 97 

Isett, John H., service of, as lieutenant, 

130 
luke (Mississippi), defeat of Confeder- 
ates at, 143, 196; Union troops at. 



222, 224, 225 ; advance of troops from, 
227; rations issued at, 229 

Jackson, Claiborne F., camp of, 30 

Jackson, H. R., cavalry division com- 
manded by, 278 

Jackson, Horatio P., deatli of, 370 

Jackson, J. K., service of, as commander, 
72, 90 

Jackson (Mississippi), Confederate troops 
at, 143, 144, 199, 210; Confederate 
general at, 191; capture of, 193, 209; 
Union camp near, 203 ; campaign 
against, 206-218; attack upon, 208, 
209; destruction of property in, 210; 
condition of inhabitants of, 210; siege 
of, 210, 214; withdrawal of troops 
from, 211; return of troops from, 
212; casualties at, 213, 214; service 
of John M. Corse at, 216; Union vic- 
tory at, 219; officer at, 253 

Jackson (Tennessee), Union ti-oops at, 
vi, 142, 155, 306; Union headquarters 
at, 122, 127; scouting expedition near, 
128; assaults made at, 484; capture 
of, 490 

Jackson and Canton Railroad, Union 
troops along, 203, 204, 207 

Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad, Union 
troops along, 207 

Jackson Park (Memphis, Tennessee), Un- 
ion troops at, 137 

Jackson's Creek, bridge over, 400 

James River. Union troops along, 464; 
crossing of, 465, 466 

Jamison. Merritt, death of, 311 
"Jaybird", playing of, 137 

Jeffei-son Barracks, troops stationed at, 

22, 23; lack of equipment at, 23; 
activities at, 23; historic interests of, 

23, 24 

Jefferson City (Missouri), troops at, 30, 
32, 35; soldiers sent to hospitals in, 
37, 45, 49 
Jefferson Street (Burlington), passage 

of troops through, 13 
Jenk's Cross-Roads, Union camp at, 428 
"Jennison monuments," reference to, 174 
Jericho, Charles, wound received by, 

100; death of, 205, 213 
Jim Wolf Creek, Union troops along, 187, 

190 
"John Brown", singing of, 380 
Johnson, Aaron S., discharge of, 132 
Johnson, Albert J., wound received by, 

286 
Johnson, Andrew, service of, to Union, 
247; message sent to, 469; troops re- 
viewed by, 471, 474; greeting of, by 
troops, 475 
Johnson, Bushrod, service of, as com- 
mander, 72 
Johnson, Frederick B., loss of, in action, 

214 ; wound received by, 242 
Johnson, George W., service of, as Pro- 
visional Governor, 74 
Johnson, Gustavus, death of, 100 
Johnson, James, loss of, in action, 214 
Johnson, Moses T., return of, to service, 
133; promotion of, 391 



34 



516 



INDEX 



I 



Johnson, Ruel M., skirmishes led by, 266; 
Union troops commanded by, 356 

Johnson County, military company or- 
ganized in, 3, 7 

Johnson's Crook, Confederate camp at, 
231 

Johnston, Albert Sidney, organization of 
troops under, 64; appointment of, as 
leader of Confederate forces, 72, 73 ; 
military education of, 72, 73 ; resigna- 
tion of, from United States service, 
73 ; service of Isham G. Harris on 
staff of, 74 ; battle orders issued by, 
74; conference held by, 75; strength 
of army under, 95 ; son of, 120 

Johnston, Joseph E., Confederate troops 
commanded by, 165, 193, 198, 199, 
202, 210, 214, 215, 258, 261, 262, 
345, 427, 431, 434, 435, 445, 446, 
447, 449, 451, 452, 458; troops re- 
viewed by, 160; communication to, 
191; orders relative to, 199; educa- 
tion of, 263; address by, 270; removal 
of, from command, 303 : loyalty of 
Confederate troops to, 303 ; report 
made to, relative to swamps, 392 ; 
service of, as General, 418; army of, 
445, 446, 447, 449, 451, 452, 458, 
459; peace terms of, 454, 455, 477; 
Sherman's negotiations with, 456, 457, 
477; surrender of army of, 459; de- 
portment of, 478 

Johnston, William Preston, Confederate 
troops insix-cted by, 120 

Jones, Jolin A., death of, 182 

Jones, Robert J., wound received bv, 100, 
307 

Jones, William A., death of, 241 

Jones' Ford, Union troops at, 199, 200; 
Confederate troops at, 202 

Jonesboro (North Carolina), Union vic- 
tory at. 487; Union troops at, 490 

Jonesborough (Georgia), Union troops 
near, 321, 322, 329; battle at, 322, 
325, 326, 327, 328; casualties at, 329, 
330; Confederate troops at, 358 

Jordan, James J., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 130; service of, as captain, 164; 
wound received by, 295 ; muster of, 
from service, 349 

Jordan, Thomas, service of, as command- 
er, 72 

Julian's Gap, Union troops at, 245 

"J\ist Before the Battle, Mother", sing- 
ing of, 380 

Kanis, Mickael (see Kams, Michael) 
Kansas, encampment of troops from, 25 ; 

reference to, 50 
Kansas City (Missouri), troops at, 32, 44 
Kansas Jayhawkers, reference to, 225 
Karns, Michael, wound received by, 98 
Kelley, Alpheus W., discharge of, 133 
Kellogg, David, service of, 111; death 

of, 112 
Kellogg, Isaac, service of. 111; death 

of, 112 
Kellogg, James E., wound received by, 99 
Kellogg, Solomon, death of, 99 
Kellogg, William, service of. 111; death 

of, 112, 241 



Kells, Hilas L., death of, 99 

Kelsey, Calvin, service of, as lieutenant, 
7 

Kemper, Matthew W., wound received by, 
294 

Kemple, Leonard F., ser\'ice of, 437 

Kendall, N. E., consultation with, v 

Kenesaw Mountain, Confederate troops 
at, 283, 284, 286, 288, 291, 296, 340; 
Union troops near, 284, 286, 288, 291, 
292, 298, 340, 344, 345, 346; advance 
upon, 288, 289, 291; battle of, 290- 
308, 487, 490; casualties at, 293-295; 
service of Sixth Iowa troops at, 301 : 
General Sherman at, 344 ; railroad 
near, 345 

Kennedy, Edwin R., wound received by, 
242; promotion of, 317; service of, as 
captain, 390, 492 

Kennedy, Liberty H., death of, 241 

Kentucky, news of skirmishes in, 9 ; Un- 
ion troops in, 53 ; defeat of Confed- 
erates in, 64, 127; organization of 
troops from, 64 ; John C. Breckinridge 
a native of, 73, 74 ; service of George 
W. Johnson as Provisional Governor 
of, 74 ; activities of troops from, 85, 
86, 103, 323; shooting of officer in, 
89; Confederates in, 128 

Keokuk, troops from, 4 ; colonel commis- 
sioned from, 5 : Sixth Iowa Infantry 
at, 14, 15; secessionist troops near, 
16; troops returned to, 19, 259, 260 

Key, David, death of, 100 

Key, John H., wound received by, 242, 
286; promotion of, 390 

Kills, Hilas H. (see Kells, Hilas H.) 

Kilpatrick, Judson, wound received by, 
265 ; Union troops commanded by, 
265, 355, 358, 373, 376, 413, 445 

Kimler, Benjamin F., wound received 
by, 307 

King's bridge, supplies at, 383, 385; 
arrival of mail at, 384; Union troops 
at, 386 

King's Hill, Confederate troops near, 
350; skirmishes at, 350 

Kingston (Georgia), Union troops near, 
271, 273, 346; railroad from, 272; 
activities at, 282 ; forced march to, 
345 

Kinston (North Carolina), supplies from, 
434, 440 

Kirkwood, Samuel J., companies recog- 
nized by, 2; troops called by, 2, 3; 
Camp Warren visited by, 11, 12; or- 
der received from, relative to appoint- 
ments, 53 

Knapsacks, contents of, 146; an-ival of, 
213 

Knight, Jonathan S., capture of, 437 

Knotts, Lemiiel G., capture of, 98 

Knoxville (Tennessee), Union troops in, 
244, 245, 490; activities in vicinity of, 
244-260; assault made upon, 247; 
siege of, 247, 251 ; return of troops 
from, 301; expedition to, 484 

Knuck, George, death of, 100 

Kolb's farm. Union troops at, 340 

Kremer, Wesley P., wound received by, 
100; relics obtained by, 157 



INDEX 



517 



Kuhns, Peter, ■wound received by, 98 
Kyte, Francis M., wound received by, 

213; promotion of, 317; service of, 

as lieutenant, 390, 398 

Ladies, music in honor of, 51 

La Fayette (Georgia), Union troops at, 

264 
La Fayette (Indiana), Union troops at, 

493 
La Fayette (Tennessee), Union troops 

at, 123, 125, 348 
La Fayette Park (St. Louis), troops en- 
camped at, 25, 26, 483 
La Fayette road, Union troops along, 264 
La Grange (Tennessee), Union troops 
at, 122, 125, 155, 162, 171, 172, 173, 
177, 186, 187, 189, 191, 194, 221: 
military operations near, 154; pass 
obtained at, 157; roads near, 171; 
Confederate troops near, 172; dress 
parade at, 192 
Lake, John E., commission of, as assist- 
ant-surgeon, 5 ; medical service of, 129 
Lake Providence, Union troops at, 195 
Lamar (Slississippi), destruction of 

bridge near, 178 
Lamb, George W., wound received by, 

213 
Lambert, William, wound received bv, 

370 
Lambert, William S., services of, as sur- 
geon, 253, 390, 492 
La Mine Bridge, garrison at, 50 ; events 

at, 58; Union troops at, 483 
La Mine Crossing, encampment at, 47 
La Mine River, camp on bank of, 47; 
fuel secured from timber near, 48 ; 
crossing of, 51 
Lamott, Antoine, death of, 271 
Lane, James H., troops commanded by, 
32 ; rumor of expedition to be led by, 
50 
Lanning, Z. B. [M.?], death of, 98 
Larkin's Creek, crossing of, 256 
Larkin's Landing, Union troops at, 256 
Lauman, Jacob G., division commanded 

by, 149. 155, 177 
Laurel Hill, Union troops at. 423 
Law, maintenance of, 146, 147, 488, 491 
Lawler, John, wound received by, 268 
Lawrenceville (Virginia), Union troops 

at, 459 
Lawrenceville road. Union troops along, 

462 
Lay's Ferry, Union troops at, 269 
Lee, A. L., brigade commanded by, 155 
Lee, Robert E., Confederate army com- 
manded by, 128, 258, 263, 451 ; sur- 
render of, 447, 459 ; deportment of, 
478 
Lee, Stephen D., Confederate troops led 

by, 224, 227, 311, 324, 346 
Lee Coimty, military company organized 
in, 3 ; assignment of troops from, to 
Company H, 7 
Lee and Gordon's Mills, Union troops 

at, 264 
Lee's mill, Union troops at, 185 
Leesbiirg (Alabama), Union camp at, 
350 



Leggett, M. D., division commanded bv, 
283 

Le Grand, John W., wound received bv, 
370. 435 

Leightburn, General, troops commanded 
by, 240 

Letters, receipt of, by troops, 441 

Levees, guarding of, 129 

Lewis, Joseph H., brigade commanded 
b.y, 323 

Lewis, Thomas, death of, 217 

Lewisburg road, Union troops on, 460 

Lewnnan, George A., wound received by, 
99 

Lexington (Missouri), battle at, 32; gar- 
rison captured at, 42 ; report of sur- 
render near, 53 

Libby Prison, visit of troops to, 465 

Liberty Hill (South Carolina), Union 
troops at, 418 

Lick Creek, Union troops near, 69, 74; 
location of, 76 

Lick Skillet road. Union troops on, 309, 
313 

Liddell, S. R., brigade commanded by, 
240 

Lieutenant-Colonel, appointment of, 27, 
138 

Lightbum, J. A. J., brigade led by, 240, 
290; wound received by, 318 

Lightning, Union troops killed by, 465 

Lincoln, Abraham, proclamation of, 2 ; 
attitude of, towai'd John C. Fremont, 
42, 43; orders from, 127, 149; Eman- 
cipation Proclamation of, 158, 170; 
confidence of, in Grant. 166, 243 ; ap- 
pointment made by, 258 ; assignment 
made by, 308; attitude toward, 334, 
339; votes for, 352; Savannah, Geor- 
gia, presented to, 388; assassination 
of, 449, 450 

Linn, James R., loss of, in action, 214 

Linn, William S., wound received by, 213 

Linn County, company organized in, 2 ; 
troops from, assigned to Company A, 6 

Linton, Harvey B., wound received by, 
295 ; promotion of, 391 

Linton, Ira, death of, 311 

Liquor, taking of, by troops, 223, 414 

Little Bear Creek, military engagement 
at, 224 

Little Congaree Creek, Confederate troops 
along, 407 

Little Kenesaw, assault made at, 290, 
296; suffering of wounded at, 293 

Little Ogeechee, Confederate troops near, 
381 

Little River, Union troops along, 348, 
351, 447 

Little Salkehatchie River, skirmishes 
along. 402 

Little Tennessee River, Union camp 
along, 246, 248; crossing of, 246, 247 

Littleton Depot, Union troops near, 461 

Livestock, capture of, 186, 187, 190; 
destruction of, 188 

Livingston road, skirmishes along, 207 

Lock, Grundy, death of, 99 

Lockard, John, death of, 98 

Lockard, Philander, service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 6 ; resignation of, 8 



518 



INDEX 



Locomotives, destruction of, 116 
Logan, John A., service of, at Corinth, 
115; Sixth Iowa directed by, 115; 
troops commanded by, 149, 155, 263, 
308, 310, 446, 463, 471, 473, 479; 
address of, 159, 160, 348, 465, 485- 
488, 489; report of, 277, 306; sol- 
diers inspired by, 305; comment of, 
relative to Union assault, 313 ; troops 
reviewed by, 325; dangers encounter- 
ed by, 327; losses computed by, 330; 
political activities of, 335; arrival of, 
at Savannah, 394; social conditions in- 
fluenced by, 396; appearance of, 407; 
service of, at Columbia, 413; head- 
quarters of, 423 ; presence of, in camp, 
429; badge adopted by, 442, 443; 
position of, 448 ; popularity of, 489 
Long Bridge, Union troops near, 469, 

470, 471 
Long Creek, Union camp at, 376 
Longstreet, James, Confederate army 
commanded by, 244 ; attack made by 
troops under, 247; siege conducted by, 
251 
Longtown (South Carolina), 417 
Lookout Mountain, Confederates at, 231, 
237, 283; military operations near, 
232, 233, 234; Union troops at, 243; 
battle of, 261, 393, 490; badge worn 
at, 442 ; display of banners in honor 
of, 475 
Lookout Point, Union troops at, 250 
Lookout Tennessee battery, service of, 

341 
Lookout Valley, expedition in, 233 ; Un- 
ion troops in, 252 
Looman, George A. (see Lewman, George 

A.) 
Loomis, Charles H., death of, 311 
Loomis, John M., troops commanded by, 

194, 231, 239, 240 
Looxaioma (Mississippi), Union troops 
at, 187; skirmishes at, 190; capture 
of Union troops near, 192 
Loring, W. W., wound received by, 312 
Lost Mountain, appearance of, 283 ; Un- 
ion troops at, 284; Confederate troops 
near, 284, 286, 340; road leading to, 
340 
Loughlin, James M., loss of, in action, 

213, 214 
Louisa County, organization of troops in, 

4 
Louisburg (North Carolina), Union 

troops at, 459 
Louisiana, position of troops from, 86; 
cavalry from, 86; hanging of Union 
officer in, 168; capital of, 183 
"Louise", troops on board of, 395 
Louisville (Kentucky), troops assembled 
at, 20; officer shot at, 89; officer sent 
to, 257; veterans at, 260; Union mes- 
sengers at, 353; army sent to, 479, 
481, 482 ; addresses delivered at, 485- 
488, 489-491 
"Louisville", veterans embarked on, 259 
Lovejoy Station (Georgia), Union troops 
near, 326, 327, 328, 333; Confeder- 
ate troops at, 328, 360; casualties at, 
329; mention of, 490 



Lovell, Mansfield, Confederate troops 

commanded by, 143, 156 
Lovilla, enlistment of men from, 4 
Lower Savannah Road, jujicture of, 378 
Lowery, Austin P., wound received by 

202 
Lowery, Oliver H., wound received by 

202 
Lowery, Oscar W., wound received by, 

371 
Lucas, James C, wound received by, 213 
Lucas County, military company organ 

ized in, 2 ; assignment of troops from, 

to Company B, 6 
Lucas County Guards, organization of, 

2 ; consolidation of troops with, 4 ; as- 
signment of, to Company B, 6 
Lumber River, crossing of, by troops, 424 
"Luminary", Union trooiJs on, 219, 220 

arrival of, at Memphis, 220 
Lum plan's mill. Union camp at, 179 
Lynch Creek, Union troops along, 419, 

crossing of, by troops, 420; experiences 

along. 424 
Lyon, Nathaniel, services of, as general, 

27; death of, 27; funeral procession 

of, 27; reference to, 38; lack of reen 

forcement of troops of, 42 

McBride, Esau, capture of, 437 

McBride, James H., troops commanded 
by, 32 

Mc(5laskey, Isaac N., wound received by, 
213 

McClearnan, John, wound received by, 
295 

McClellan, George B., candidacy of, for 
President, 334, 352 

McClernand, John A., troops commanded 
by, 70, 82, 149, 155; consultation of, 
with Grant, 86 ; report made by, rela- 
tive to battle of Shiloh, 87 

McCown, James, regiment commanded by, 
296, 297 

McCoy, David J., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 130; service of, as captain, 164; 
promotion of, 390 

McCoy, Henry, wound received by, 101 

McCoy, O. J., promotion of, 492 

McCrillis, L. F., brigade commanded by, 
190 

McCulloch, Benjamin, reference to, as 
commander, 23, 32, 41, 43; winter 
quarters established by, 44 ; troops or- 
ganized in opposition to, 52; defeat of, 
64 

McDonough (Georgia), Union troops at, 
356, 359 

McDowell, Harvey, capture of, 324 

McDowell, Irvin, service of, as general, 
10; report of death of, 10 

McDowell, John Adair, commission of, 
as colonel, 5 ; regimental band organ- 
ized by, 8; brother of, 10; message to, 
relative to Bull Run, 10; parade re- 
viewed by, 11 ; troops commanded by, 
16, 61, 68, 69, 79, 80, 82, 87, 93, 
103, 106, 108, 125, 128, 129, 132, 
135, 139, 142, 149, 483; supplies dis- 
tributed by, 17; troops ordered across 
Des Moines River by, 17, 18; return 



INDEX 



519 



of, to Keokuk, 19; order issued by, rel- 
ative to use of profane language, 26, 
31; error of, 46; order of, to sentinel, 
46, 107; association of, with Thomas 
J. Ennis, 51 ; return of, to camp, 55 ; 
attitude of troops toward, 55, 56; as- 
signment of troops under, to Army of 
the Tennessee, 60 ; scouting expedition 
led by, 62 ; position of troops under, 
76; first volley fired upon troops of, 
79; officers aiTested by order of, 80; 
message sent by, 80; order of, relative 
to command of regiment, 82 ; injury 
received by, 84; casualties among 
troops of, 101 ; whiskey issued to 
troops by, 152; resignation of, 163 

McEveny, Thomas F., taking of, as pris- 
oner, 232, 243 

McFarland, David T., wound received 
by, 99 

McGee, David W., death of, 98 

MoGonegal, James, wound received by, 
294 

Macliine shops, destruction of, 415 

McKay, Noi-val W., wound received by, 
330 

McKeehan, David Senter, wound received 
by, 370 

McKenzie, J. W., service of, as flagman, 
344 

McKeman, John A., wound received by, 
279 

McKinstiy, J., troops commanded by, 32, 
34, 41 ; comment on division of, 35 

McKissick, Joseph, wound received by, 
99 

McKissick, Thomas, death of, 98 

McLemore's Cove, Confederates at, 232 

Macon (Georgia), Union troops at, 356, 
363, 378: wedding at, 360. 361; re- 
turn of Confederates to, 367; militai-y 
leaders at, 369 

Macon and Savannah Railroad, Union 
troops along, 363 

Macon Depot, Union troops near, 461 

Macon Railroad, junction of, 319, 329; 
Confederate troops along, 326, 336, 
360; crossing of, 328; meeting of 
troops along, 335; Union troops on, 
364 

Macon road. Union troops on, 363, 364, 
366; Confederate troops along, 365 

McPherson, James B., Union troops com- 
manded by, 142, 149, 155, 262, 264. 
273, 284, 302, 394; forage directed 
by, 150; Grant supported by, 166; 
qualifications of, 262; position of 
troops under, 284, 302; death of, 
305, 487 

MoPhersonville (South Carolina), Union 
camp near. 398 

Maddem, Richard, band directed by, 8, 
123 ; discharge of, from service, 132 

Maddem, William, membership of, in 
band, 9; discharge of, 132 

Madison (Georgia), Union troops at, 356 

Madisonville (Tennessee), Union troops 
at, 248 

Magazines, explosions of, 113, 422 

Mahon, Samuel, foragers commanded by, 
422 



Mail, receipt of, 128, 141, 251, 334, 384, 
405, 441; sending of, by Union troops, 
425 

Main, Charles M., wound received by, 329 

Major, commission as, 5, 27 

Malaria, prevalence of, 49 

Manchester (Virginia), Union troops 
near, 464 

Manchester Heights (Virginia), Union 
camp on, 466 

Mann, David, wound received by, 407 ; 
rescue of, 438 

Marauding, punislmient for, 38 

Mareliing orders, receipt of, 29, 51, 56, 
149, 189, 211, 218, 219, 339 

"Marching through Georgia", singing of, 
357 

Mardis, James, death of, 79, 99 

Maa-ietta (Georgia), field hospital at, 
293; Union troops at, 298, 300, 340; 
discharged soldiers at, 301 

Marietta and Big Shanty road, Union 
troops on, 340 

Maring, Alexander, wound received bv, 
241 

Marion, company organized at, 2; assist- 
ant-surgeon from, 5 ; troops from, as- 
signed to Company A, 6 

Marion County, soldiers from, 4 

Marion Light Guards, organization of, 
2 ; assignment of, to Company A, 6 

Marmaduke, John S., service of, as com- 
mander, 72 

Martin, John, wound received by, 311 

Martin, John A., capture of, 100 

Martin, William H., wound received by, 
241 

Martinsburg (West Virginia), Union 
troops at, 480 

MaiTe's Heights (Virginia), appearance 
of, 468 

Maryland, plan of invasion of, by Con- 
federates, 128 

Maryland Avenue (Washington D. C), 
Union troops on, 471 

Maryville (Tennessee), Union troops at, 
247, 248 

Massaponax River, Union camp along, 
467 

Mattapony River, crossing of, 467 

Matthews, Benjanain, death of. 370 

Matthews, William, discharge of, 132 

Matthies, C. L., army commanded by, 
257, 259 

May, Buck, activities of, 255 

Mead, Captain, activities of, 255 

Meade, George G., armv commanded by, 
470, 476 

Meal, taking of, 146 

Measles, epidemic of. 31, 45, 49, 58 

Meat, taking of, 359 

Medical department, drugs secured from, 
49 

Medicine, securing of, 49 

Meherrin River, crossing of, 462 

Memphis (Tennessee), Union troops at, 
106-143, 146, 148, 153, 155, 164, 172, 
173, 177, 194, 220; surrender of, 
125; march of Union troops toward, 
125, 126, 194, 484; scouting expedi- 
tion near, 128; Sixth Iowa troops in, 



520 



INDEX 



125, 137, 138; social life of soldiers in, 
141 '• guarding against attacks from, 
144- march from, 145, 484; campaign 
near, 161; railroad to, 184, 222; road 
from, 221 . . ^ xt 

Memphis, District of, organization of Un- 
ion troops in, 138, 139, 140 

Memphis and Charleston Railroad, cross- 
ing of, 66, 122, 158; Union troops 
along, 107, 116, 135, 140, 142, 158, 
177, 182, 194, 252; scouting expedi- 
tions along, 128; junction of, 229 _ 

Memphis and Grenada Railroad, Union 
troops along, 181 

Memphis Theatre, attendance of troops 
at 195 

Meridian (Mississippi), Confederate 
forces near, 210 

Messenger's Ford, Union troops at, 199; 
Confederate troops at, 202 

Mexican War, Grant's service in, 71 

Mexico, French army in, 482 

Miasma, exposure to, 49 

Michigan City (Indiana), Union troops 
at, 493 

Mickey's house, topography near, 76; 
Union troops encamjied near, 106 

Middletown (Tennessee), foraging at, 173 

Midway Station, skirmishes at, 403 

Miles, Elias A., capture of, 99 

Military affairs, criticism of, 165 

Military campaigns, conduct of, 161 ; 
preparation for, 397 

Military conxpanies, organization of, 2, 
3 ; disbandment of, 3 

Military discipline, lack of, 15, 19, 35, 

36, 130, 131, 411, 412, 414; enforce- 
ment of, 25, 26, 28, 29, 53, 63, 66, 
103, 109, 117, 120, 138, 147, 249, 
253, 288, 387, 456, 459, 460: breach 
of, 55, 223; necessity of, 61, 70, 71 

Military display, prevalence of, 35, 36, 

133 
Military drill, time devoted to, 26, 29, 

37, 40, 66; improvement in, 29 
Military etiquette, lack of, 9 
Military law, enforcement of, 38 
Military life, influence of politics on, 54 
Military operations, success of, 387 
Military prisons, guarding of, 129 
Military science, use of, at battle of 

Shiloh, 95 

Military supremacy, struggle for, in Mis- 
souri, 44, 45 ; importance of, in Mis- 
sissippi Valley, 66 

MUitary tactics, instruction received in, 
26 

Military train, stately appearance of, 38 

Mill Creek, skirmishes near, 432; bridge 
over, 433 

Milledgeville (Georgia), Union troops at, 
356, 364, 373 

Millen (Georgia), Union prisoners at, 
373, 377 

Miller, Alexander J., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 7; promotion of, 116, 138, 163; 
service of, as captain, 130; Union 
troops commanded by. 224, 236, 253, 
275; service of, as lieutenant-colonel, 
237, 269; troops insi)ected by, 276; 
wound received by, 278, 279, 331; 



return of, to service, 313; comment 
of, 317, 331 ; muster of, from service, 
349 ; esteem of soldiers for, 349 
Miller, Charles W., wound received by, 

242 
Miller, George A., wound received by, 

100, 295 
Miller, Jacob L., wound received by, 293 
Miller, Jesse, service of, v 
Miller, John A., wound received by, 286 
Miller, Oliver B., death of, 97 
Milligan, Wm. H., wound received l)y, 

100 
Milliken's Bend (Louisiana), hanging of 

negroes at, 168; camp at, 195 
Minton, Calvin, service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 7 ; comment of, relative to com- 
manding officers, 80; troops led by, 
87, 88, 94; service of, as captain, 130, 
164; wound received by, 213, 242, 253 
Missionary Ridge, Union troops at, 233, 
235, 243, 250; battle at, 237, 261, 
289, 394, 484, 486; death of officer 
at, 253; veterans at, 260; non-veter- 
ans at, 260; crossing of, 264; dis- 
play of banner in honor of, 475 
Mississippi, troops from, 85, 86, 205, 
341; Confederate troops in, 121, 143, 
152, 172, 183; military situation in, 
142, 152; withdrawal of Union troops 
from, 158, 174; return of slaves to, 
170; Union troops in, 177, 490; raids 
in, 177-192; cavalry from, 187; Con- 
federate resources in, 191 ; description 
of, 191, 192; capture of capital of, 
193, 209; campaign in, 484 
Mississippi, Military Division of the, 
formation of, 223 ; commander of, 261 
Mississippi Brigade, death of officer of, 

343 
Mississippi Central Railroad, crossing of, 
122, 158; Union troops along, 142, 
177 
Mississippi Railroad, Union troops along, 

173 
Mississippi River, assembling of troops 
at, 4 ; pioneer life west of, 9 ; move- 
ment of troops on, 14, 20, 21, 30, 59, 
484; Union troops stationed along, 
20, 148, 149, 155, 156, 183, 193, 
212, 272; suppression of rebellion 
along, 21 ; location of army west of, 
43; boats from, 60; defeat of Confed- 
erates along, 64; troops east of, 95; 
destruction of Confederate fleet on, 
125; scouting along, 135, 136, 155; 
opening of, to Gulf of Mexico, 165; 
Confederate retreat to, 190; tributary 
of, 195; hospital supplies along, 272 
Mississippi Valley, efforts to obtain mili- 
tary supremacy in, 64, 66, 193, 215, 
219 
Missouri, service of troops from, 4, 32, 
296, 297, 341 ; news of skirmishes in, 
9; Confederate forces in, 14, 15, 18, 
19, 43, 44, 52, 128, 329, 490; Union 
forces in, 15, 16, 483; troops on border 
of, 17, 43; report of ruffians in, 
23; troops returned from, 25; Sixth 
Iowa Infantry in camp in, 25-36; 
troops transported to capital of, 30; 



INDEX 



521 



camp for troops of, 30; campaign in, 
32, 37-57; topography of, 41; divi- 
sion of sentiment in, relative to war, 
44, 45 ; support of Sterling Price in, 
44, 45 ; camp life in, 57 ; casualties 
among troops from, 86, 342, 343 ; ac- 
tivities of Union troops from, 110; 
Confederates driven from, 127, 490; 
death of Union troops in, 133 ; health 
of troops in, 173; fortifications in, 466 

Missouri, Department of, troops in, 149 

Missouri Border Ruffians, report of ad- 
vance of, 23 

Missouri Pacific Railroad, troops em- 
barked on, 30; troops along, 35; en- 
campment near, 47, 52 

Missouri River, boats moored in, 22 ; 
troops along, 32, 35 

Missouri State Guard, composition of, 
32 ; number of, 43 ; location of, 43 ; 
discipline of, 43 

Mitchell, John G., brigade conmianded 
by, 286 

Mitchell, Matthew, death of, 97 

Mitchell, O. M., division commanded by, 
255 

Mitchell, Robert, death of, 241 

Mobile (Alabama), assembling of troops 
from, 64; plan of advance to, 359 

Mobile and Ohio Railroad, crossing of, 
66; Union troops along, 107, 177, 
185; pickets along, 113; Confederate 
troops along, 120; scouting along, 155 

Money, kinds of, 134, 451 ; sending of, 
to Iowa, 352 

Moniteau County (Missouri), celebration 
in, 54, 55 

Monnahan, William, wound received by, 
293 

Monroe, J. Henry, capture of, 101 

Monroe County, company organized in, 
2; assignment of troops from, to Com- 
pany E, 6 

Monroe Guards, organization of, 2, 6 

Monterey (Tennessee), troops sent to, 75 

Montgomeiy, Humphrey, wound received 
by, 370 

Montgomery Railroad, junction of, 319, 
329 

Monticello (Georgia), Union troops at, 
356 

Montrose, company organized at, 3,4, 7 ; 
assignment of troops from, to Company 
H, 7 

Montrose Guards, organization of, 3, 4, 7 

Moore, David, troops under, 16, 19 

Moore, Nathan B., death of, 318 

Moore, William H., wound received by, 
268 

Moore, William S., capture of, 99 

Morale, improvement of, 53, 67 

Moreland, David, death of, 99 

Morey, Joseph K., wound received by, 
98; promotion of, 124 

Morgan, John H., service of, as com- 
mander, 72, 85 

Morganton (Tennessee), Union camp at, 
246, 248 

Mormons, expedition against, 73 

Morris, Abraham W., wound received by, 
286 



Morris, Thomas H., wound received bv, 

98 
Morrisville (North Carolina), Union 

troops at, 449 
Morrow's mill, Union camp near. 329 
Morton Battery (Indiana), assignment 

of, to brigade, 60, 61 ; location of, 63, 

76; reenforcements sent to, 78; ac- 
tivities of, 78, 79 
Morton Factories, ruins of, 225 
Moscow (Mississippi), Union troops at, 

123, 124, 125, 182, 184, 191 
Moss, J. W.. capture of, 324; wound 

received by, 324 
Mount Pleasant, consolidation of troops 

from, 4 ; assignment of troops from, 

to Company K, 8 
Mount Pleasant (Mississippi), Union 

troops at, 182, 187, 190 
Mount Pleasant (Tennessee), Union camp 

at, 221; burning of, 221 
Mount Vernon (Virginia), Union troops 

at, 468 
Mount Zion Church, Union troops near, 

413 
Mountain, crossing of, 256 
Mounted foragers, name given to, 473 
Mounted infantry, service of, 185, 187, 

283, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402 
Mouse Creek Station (Tennessee), Union 

troops at, 246 
Mower, Joseph A., troops commanded by, 

422, 432, 474 
Muchmore, Wm. H., death of, 217 
Muddy Springs (South Carolina), Un- 
ion camp:near, 417 
Mueller, Captain, battery commanded by, 

149 
Mules, use of, 31, 232; number of, 33, 

189; loss of, in battle. 102, 367; cap- 
ture of, 180, 189, 191, 229, 230, 358, 

359, 379, 436 
^Munchmore, Wm. H. (see Muclmiore, 

Wm. H.) 
Murders, number of, 154 
Murfreesborough (Tennessee), military 

exfiedition at, 165 
Murphy, Robert G., wound received by, 

213 
Muscatine, chaplain from, 5 ; promotion 

of officers from, 28 
Muscle Shoals (Alabama), Union troops 

near, 226 
Music, effect of, on soldiers, 89; partici- 
pation of soldiers in, 348, 349 
Musicians, number of, 6-8, 12; selection 

of, 8, 9 (see also Band) 
Muskets, issuing of, 16, 31, 46, 67; 

firing of, 76, 367; abandonment of, in 

Confederate camp, 202 
Musselman, Daniel F. M., death of, 311 
Musselman, Samuel G., wound received 

by, 268 
Mustering in. date of, 488 
Mustering officer, arrival of, 489 
Mustering out, orders for, 488; date of, 

488; ceremony of, 489 

Nahunta Creek, skirmishes along, 446 
Nahunta Depot, Confederate troops at, 
436 



522 



INDEX 



Nancy's Creek, Union troops along, 302 
Napoleon (Ai-kansas), Union troops at, 

195 
Nashville (Tennessee), defeat of Con- 
federates at, 64; Buell's army at, 65; 
Confederate troops near, 156; military 
operations at, 165; soldiers leave for, 
on furlough, 259; veterans at, 260; 
hospitals at, 352 
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, 

Union troops along, 229 
Nashville and Huntsville Pike, Union 

troops on, 228 
National Guard, sei-\-ice of Henry H. 

Wright in, viii 
"Navigator", embarkation of troops on, 
480; position of, on Ohio River, 481 
NavA-, victoi-y won by, 198; blockade by, 

389, 425 
Navy yard, guarding of, 129 
Nebraska, troops reviewed by Governor 

of, 123 
Negi-o refugees, wounds of, 188; niim- 

ber of, in Richmond, 465 
Negroes, hanging of, in Louisiana, 168; 
militarj' service of, 168, 453 ; number 
of, in camps, 169; food given to, 169; 
religious services held by, 169; loyalty 
of, to Union, 169; sending of, north- 
ward, 170; pranks played on, 170; 
taking of, as prisoners, 172; surround- 
ings of, 175; colonization of, 175; free- 
ing of, 175, 180, 189; service of, in 
south, 176; escape of, 189; capture of, 
190, 191; treatment of, by Union 
troops, 396; earthworks erected by, 396 
Nelson, William, report made by, on con- 
dition of soldiers, 89; character of, 
89; death of, 89 
Neuse River, crossing of, 434, 436, 448, 

460 ; city situated on, 444 
New Albany (Indiana), Union soldiers 

near, 493 
New Albany (Mississippi), Confederate 
forces at, 185; road leading to, 185; 
Union troops at, 186 
New Albany and Salem Railroad, Union 

troops on, 493 
New Babylon (Georgia), Union troops 

at, 352 
New Berne road. Union troops along, 439 
New England, troops from, 199; sailing 

vessels from, 389 
New Hope (Georgia), General Sherman 

at, 345; Confederate army near, 346 
New Hope Church, battle at, 274, 282; 
abandonment of, by Confederates, 288; 
Confederate troops at, 340, 342; Un- 
ion troops at, 490 
"New Kentucky", troops transfer to, 194 
New London, consolidation of troops 

from, 4 
New Market (South Carolina), Union 

camp at, 421 
New Orleans (Louisiana), Union troops 

at, 212 
New York cavalry, service of, 437 
New York City, mention of, 157 
Newport, Thomas J., wound received by, 

98 
N.'wspapers, communications in, relative 



to expedition to Texas, 50; receipt of, 
128, 141, 173, 334, 339, 441; influ- 
ence of, 159; war methods criticised 
by, 166; exclusion of, from camp, 166; 
reading of, 173, 453; publication of. 
451; price of, 451; orders published 
in. 469; war stories in, 473 
Newton Grove Cross-Roads (North Caro- 
lina), Union camp near, 428 
Nichols' Ferry, Union troops at, 417 
Nickajack Creek, Union troops along, 

298, 299 
Nickajack Gap, Union camp near, 232 
Nickajack Trace, Union troops along. 230 
Nickemian, Charles, capture of, 100 
Nineteeenth Alabama Infantry, assault 

made by, 90; service of, 314 
Ninetieth Illinois Infantry, assignment 

of, to brigade, 194, 263 
Ninety-third Illinois Infantry, service of, 

341; assignment of, to brigade, 459 
Ninety-seventh Indiana Infantry, assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 149, 194, 263, 275, 
356, 364; service of, 207, 264, 365, 
367, 403; jwsition held by, 276, 285, 
310, 366; casualties in, 330; service 
of officer of, 367, 406; skirmishes led 
by, 430; association of, with Iowa 
troops, 488 
Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry, assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 149, 194, 263; 
activities of, 177 
Ninth Army Corps, officer of, 199; troops 
attached to, 199; advance of, 199; ac- 
tivities of, 203, 204, 207, 211; com- 
mander of, 209; review of, 470 
Ninth Illinois Infantrj', service of, 422 
Ninth Iowa Infantry, a.ssignment of, to 

brigade, 459; api>earance of, 476 
Ninth Kentucky Infantrv, assault made 

by. 323 
Ninth Texas Cavalr>-, service of, 202 
Ninth Texas InfantiT, assignment of, 

to brigade, 341 

Non-coiunussioned officers, appointment 

of, 6-8; muster of, from service. 300; 

sei-s'iee of, 492; promotion of, 492, 493 

Nonconnah (Tennessee), Union troops 

at, 221 
Nonconnah Creek, Union camp along, 144 
Non-veterans, camp maintained by, 260; 
arrival of, at Missionary Ridge, 260: 
muster of, from service, 300, 301 ; ill- 
ness of, 301 
Noonday Creek, topography of land near, 
283; Union troops near, 284; battle 
at. 285 
North Carolina, Union army in, vi, 393, 
426, 441; campaigns through, vi, 398, 
441, 442, 487, 490; troops on border 
of, 423; swamps in, 428; roads in, 
433; Confederate troops in, 445, 458; 
surrender of capital of, 448; orders 
issued in, 459 ; march of troops 
through, 466; fortifications in, 466 
North Edisto River, crossing of, 405 
North Liberty, company organized at, 3, 
4; assignment of troops from, to Com- 
pany G, 7 
Northern States, conditions in, 1, 334; 
opposition to Emancipation Proclama- 



INDEX 



52^ 



tion in, 170; receipt of mail from, 334 
Nottoway River, Union troops along, 462 
Nunn, George R., squad commanded by 
4; service of, as lieutenant, 7, 130 
service of, as captain, 164, 231, 232 
wound received by, 242 ; muster of, 
from service, 349 

Oak Ridge (Mississippi), Union camp at, 
197, 216 

Occoquan River, crossing of, 468 

Ocmulgee River, topography near, 360; 
Union troops near, 360, 364; crossing 
of, 361, 374; bridge over, 372; width 
of, 373 

Oconee River, skirmishes along, 373; 
bridges over, 374 

Officers, subordination of, 4 ; return of, 
4, 455 ; inexperience of, 5 ; selection 
of, 8; number of, at Camp Warren, 
12; destruction of property by, 19, 
20; privileges granted to, 28, 164, 
214, 220; criticism of, 29, 50, 166; 
inspection of troops by, 34, 35, 463; 
activities of, 39, 233, 477; furloughs 
received by, 45, 163, 216, 335; com- 
mendation of, 53 ; misunderstanding 
of, 65; plans of, for campaign, 65, 66; 
military education of, 71 ; political in- 
fluence of, 71, 335; exi:)eriences of, 
prior to enlistment, 71, 72; orders to, 
75, 109, 117-120, 139, 389; casual- 
ties among, 96, 330; change in roster 
of, 129; promotion of, 130; leave of 
absence issued by, 131, 132; oppor- 
tunity to visit with, in camp, 134; 
restriction placed upon, 146 ; punish- 
ment of, 147, 148; character of, 164, 
250, 282, 478 ; Vicksburg campaign 
criticised by, 215; training of, 218; 
efficiency of, 338; absence of, 349; 
muster of, 349, 492 ; expiration of term 
of, 351; appearance of, in camp, 407; 
property given to, 455 ; militai-y bear- 
ing of, 456; flowers given to, 473; 
assembling of, 473, 474; passes grant- 
ed to, 479 ; reports by, 482, 483 ; 
addresses by, 485, 489-491 ; attitude 
of soldiers toward, 491, 492 

Officers, county, election of, 221, 352 

Officers, non-commissioned (see Non- 
commissioned officers) 

Officers, State, election of, 135, 221, 352 

Official report, strength of army indicat- 
ed by, 74 

Ogden, Jasper, wound received by, 242 

Ogeechee River, destruction of railroad 
to, 373; Union troops near, 376, 379, 
385; crossing of, 377, 378, 379; to- 
pography near, 377, 378; swamps 
along, 380; protecting of cattle near, 
382; Confederate fort on, 382; Union 
fleet on, 383; supplies on, 383, 384, 
385 

Ogle, William T., service of, as wagon- 
master, 31 

Ohio, assembling of army in, 65 ; casual- 
ties in troops from, 86; reenforcements 
brought to troops from, 88, 89 ; bravery 
of troops from, 89 ; activities of troops 
from, 94, 110; plan of invasion of. 



by Confederates, 128; visit of citizens 
of, m camp, 316; welcome of troops 
to, 481 
Ohio River, voyage of soldiers up, 59, 
60; overflow of, 60; Union troops 
along, 154, 353, 480; crossing of, 493 
Okolona (Mississippi), Union troops at. 

185, 186 
"Old Abe" (see Lincoln, Abraham) 
Old Fort Pickering, Union troops at, 125 

128, 137 
^|01d Glory," reference to, 451 
"Old Kentucky Home." singing of, 380 
Old State House (Columbia, S. C), Un- 
ion troops at, 410 
"Old Tecumseh" (see Sherman, WUliam 

Old Town Creek, crossing of, 463 

Oliver, John M., troops commanded bv. 
229, 252, 263, 309. 310, 313, 413 

One Hundred and Third Illinois Infan- 
try, activities of, 177, 235, 236, 326, 
365, 403 ; assignment of, to brigade! 
183, 194, 263, 275, 356, 364; casual- 
ties in, 266, 278, 330, 331; position 
of, 285, 310, 366; association of, with 
Iowa troops, 488 

One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, as- 
signment of, to brigade, 149, 194, 263 
356, 364; skirmishes led by, 266 
transfer of, 313; service of, 326, 352 
position of, 366, 430; association of", 
with Iowa troops, 488 

Oostanaula River, Confederate troops 
near, 265, 269; crossing of, 269; 
Union troops along, 272 

Orangeburg (South Carolina), Union 
troops at, 403, 405, 487 

Orangeburg and Columbia road. Union 
camp along, 406 

Orangeburg road, Union troops along. 
405 

Ord, Edward O. C, troops commanded 
by, 199, 212 

Orders, issuing of, 131. 132, 356 

Orman, John H., wound received by. 99, 
130; service of, as lieutenant, " 130 ; 
absence of, 130 

Ortman, James S., wound received bv 
100 

Osage River, troops along, 32, 40; Con- 
federate recruits along, 42, 44 ; cross- 
ing of, 44 

Osburn, Robert H., death of, 278 

Osceola, company organized at, 2; as- 
signment of troops from, to Company 
F. 7 

Ossian Creek, Union camp near, 467 

Osterhaus, Peter J., troops commanded 
by, 234, 263, 354, 355, 369; troops 
reviewed by, 337; instruction received 
by, 350; address delivered by, 352; 
report made by, 386, 387 

Otterville (Missouri), encampment near, 
47 

Outposts, guarding of, 66; advance of, 
at Shiloh, 77 

Oviatt, William H., troops in charge of, 
4; wound received by, 213, 318, 370 

Ovington, Charles, capture of, 97; wound 
received by, 213 



524 



INDEX 



Owen, George W., loss of, in action, 214 

Owens, Lewis L., wound received by, 100 

Owl Creek, troops along, 62, 63, 69, 

74, 78, 81, 86; Union g-uards at bridge 

on, 62, 77, 79, 80; bridge over, 62, 

63, 77, 78, 79, 80; camp near, 63, 69; 

location of, 63, 76, 81 ; attack made 

near, 67, 76, 78, 85; stream emptying 

into, 77; Confederate troops on bridge 

of, 81, 86 

Oxford, troops from, 4 

Oxford (Mississippi), Confedei-ate troops 

at, 126, 145, 152; Union troops at, 

128, 145, 158, 172; Union victory at, 

145 

Pacific Coast, service of Albert Sidney 
Johnston as commander along, 73 

Padgett, William, wound received by, 99 

Paducah (Kentucky), arrival of Union 
troops at, 60 

Paint Rock Creek, Union troops along, 
256 

Palmetto (Georgia), Confederate army 
at, 336; Jefferson Davis at, 339 

Panola (Mississippi), Union troops at, 
128, 173, 187; Confederate troops at, 
181, 186, 190 

Panola road. Union troops along, 153 

Panora (Mississippi), Union camp near, 
180; Confederates at, 181 

Panora road. Union troops on, 180 

Panunkey River, crossing of, 467 

"Pap Thomas" (see Thomas, George H.) 

Parades, popularity of, 26 ; holding of, 
53, 123, 135, 139, 171, 189, 216, 218, 
444, 456 

Parke, John G., troops commanded by, 
199, 211; skirmishers led by, 207; 
comment of, relative to attack on Jack- 
son, 209 

Parkersburg (West Virginia), Union 
troops at, 480 

Parrott guns, use of, 88, 276, 303, 353, 
409 

Parsons, M. M., Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 32 

Partridge, Andrew, wound received bv, 
101 

Passes, limiting of, 131; granting of, 
195, 214, 444, 450, 479 

"Pathfinder" (see Fremont, John C.) 

Patriotism, development of, 27, 109, 485, 
486; exercise of, by oflcers, 478; 
indications of, 481 

Patterson, William P., wound received 
by, 100 

Pay, receipt of, 32 

Paymaster, army visited bv, 47, 107, 
108, 129, 494 

Payne, Charles J., death of, 98 

Payton, John, service of, 111 

Payton, Joseph P., service of, 111; wound 
received by, 241 

Payton, William, service of. 111 

Pea Ridge (Arkansas), defeat of Con- 
federates at, 64 ; Union troops en- 
camped at, 106; battle at, 196 

Peace, negotiations for, 449, 452, 454, 
489; signing of, 452, 454; rejection 
of terms of, 457 



Peach Tree Creek, Union troops at, 302, 

303, 490 
Pearl River, Union troops swim in, 211 
Peay's Ferry, Union troops at, 417 
Peck, Morris, membership of, in band, 

9 ; discharge of, 132 
Pemberton, John C., Confederate troops 

commanded by, 143, 156; report sent 

to, 172; capture of troops under, 193 
Penalties, imposing of, on soldiers, 131 
Pendleton's bridge. Union camp at, 462 
Pennsylvania, plan of invasion of, by 

Confederates, 128 
Pennsylvania Avenue (Washington D.C.), 

Union troops on, 471, 473, 474 
Pensacola (Florida), troops from, 64 
Perrigo, Joseph, wound received by, 97 
Petersburg (Virginia), Union troops at, 

459, 462 
Petersburg and Richmond pike. Union 

troops on, 463 
Peterson, Charles M., death of, 306 
Petrie house, skirmishes at, 204 
Pettus, General, Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 285 
Philadelphia (Tennessee), Union camp 

at, 246 
Philbrook, Christopher C, death of, 100 
Philips, Samuel B., service of, 7, 130 
Phillips, Pleasant J., Confederate troops 

commanded by, 369 
Photographs, exchange of, 488 
Picket, Michael, death of, 271 
Picket duty. Union troops engaged in, 

112, 197; hardships of, 259 
Picket line, skirmishes along, 110 
Pickets, stationing of, 62, 163; attacks 

made upon, 67, 190; noise of enemy 

heard by, 69 ; orders to, 109 ; advance 

of, 113; activities of, 114, 118, 418; 

service of, 178, 187, 216, 256, 265, 

372, 377, 378, 379, 405, 411, 414, 

420, 429, 454; Union troops engaged 

as, 197; fidelity of, 377 
Pickett, George E., charge led by, 205 
Piedmont (West Virginia), Union troops 

at, 480 
Pierce, James M., wound received by, 

294 
Pierce, John, wound received by, 97 
Pies, sale of, 47; kind of, 47, 58 
Pigeon Roost Creek, Union camp along, 

182 
Pigeon Roost road, Union troops on, 140, 

142, 144 
Pigs, taking of, by soldiers, 147 
Pine Hill, Confederate troops at, 283; 

appearance of, 283; Union troops at, 

284; death of Confederate officer at, 

284; abandonment of, by Confederates, 

286 
Pine Mountain, Confederate troops at, 

284 
Pineville (Missouri), Confederate troops 

at, 43 
Pineville (North Carolina), Union troops 

at, 447 
Piney Wood Hotel. Union camp at, 475 
Pipej Edward, membership of, in band, 

9; discharge of, 132 
Pittsburg Landing, Union troops at, 61, 



INDEX 



525 



62, 69, 70; camp at, 63, 69; selec- 
tion of position at, 65, 76, 87; refer- 
ence to, 66; Confederates at, 70; char- 
acter of officers at, 71; Oliio troops 
near, 88; return of ofiicer to, 111; 
lack of fortifications at, 114 
Place, J. T., address by, 124 
Plantations, plundering of, 146, 358, 
359; description of, 173-175; use of, 
as drill ground, 216, 217 
Planters, condition of life among, 461 
Planter's Factory, width of river at, 373 
Platoons, formation of, 137 
Pleasant Valley (Mississippi), Union 

camp at, 185, 186 
Plummer, Seymour B., wound received 

by, 97 
Plundering, punishment for, 38; orders 

against, 146, 147 
Plymate, Isaac R., wound i-eceived by, 

241 
Plymesser, Samuel J., wound received 

by, 100, 242, 295 
Pneumonia, prevalence of, 31 
Pocahontas (Tennessee), Union troops 

near, 122, 221 
Pocotaligo (Georgia), Confederates at, 
396, 397, 398; Union troops at, 397, 
487 
Poe, O. N., troops comniauded by, 363, 

439 
Pohick Church, Union troops near, 468 
Pointe Coupee Louisiana batterj^ ser- 
vice of, 341 
Political campaign, interest of soldiers 

in, 334, 359 
Politicians, influence of, on military life, 

54 
Politics, effect of, on military affairs, 54, 

166 
Polk, Leonidas, service of, in organizing 
troops, 64; Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 72, 74, 121, 240, 262, 
296; military training of, 73; service 
of, as bishop, 73 ; service of, at Cor- 
inth, 115; death of, 284 
Pomme-de-Terre River, encampment on, 

40 
Pond, Preston, service of, as command- 
er, 72 
Pond Creek, skirmishes near, 321 
Pontoon boats, material for construction 

of, 374 
Pontoon bridges, use of, 230, 233, 234, 
235, 244, 264, 269, 298, 351, 353, 
372, 373, 377, 379, 386, 397, 398, 
404, 405, 409, 410, 413, 417, 421, 
422, 424, 426, 427, 428, 434, 448, 
460, 461, 462, 463, 465, 466, 467, 468 
Pontoon wagon, equipment carried by, 

374 
Pontotoc (Mississippi), Confederate 
troops at, 156, 185; Union troops at, 
172, 186 
Poots, Joseph, wound received by, 242 
Pope, John, troops commanded by. 15, 
32, 121, 127; inspection of Union 
troops by, 48 ; location of troops un- 
der, 53 ;* troops visited by member of 
staff of, 104; advance of troops of, 
105; service of, at Corinth, 115 



Poplar Springs (South Carolina), Union 

troops near, 405 
Pork, sharing of, with citizens, 210; 

abundance of, 225 
Port Hudson (Mississippi), Union vic- 

toiT at, 219 
Port Royal Ferry, Union troops at, 397 
Port Royal Island, disabled soldiers sent 
to, 384; Union troops in possession 
of, 396 
Porter, David D., Grant supported by, 
166; message to, 197, 198; loyalty 
of, 198 
Portland ale, cotton exchanged for, 389 
Post, Captain, wound received by, 331 
Post quartermaster, establishment of, 191 
Potatoes, abundance of, 136; taking of, 

359 
Potomac Department (Union Army), ad- 
vance of, 258 
Potomac River, Union troops near, 127, 
468, 470; reference to, 452; crossing 
of, by troops, 471 
Potts, B. F., brigade commanded by, 302 
Potts, John M. C, death of, 278 
Poultry, abundance of, 225; taking of, 

359 
Powder magazines, destruction of, 325 
Powder mills, destruction of, 415 
Powder Springs (Georgia), Union troops 

at, 352 
Poweshiek County, death of offtcer in, 

349 
Prather, Lorenzo D., death of, 99 
Pratt, George W., death of, 241 
Prentiss, Benjamin M., division com- 
manded by, 69, 70, 71, 77 
President of the United States, votes 
cast for, by Union troops, 352 (see 
also Lincoln, Abraham) 
Price, Caleb T., wound received by, 370 
Price, Hiram, address by, 494 
Price, Sterling, army of, 23, 30, 43, 44, 
135, 143, 156; position of, 32, 41, 
42, 43 ; men enlisted against, 35, 52 ; 
support of, by citizens of Missouri, 
44, 45; defeat of, 64 
Price, William H., capture of, 100 
Prisoners, number of, in guard house, 
55; number of, from Sixth Iowa, 97- 
101; guarding of, 129; work of, on 
fortifications, 132; rations of, 132; 
exchange of, 134. 335; holding of, by 
Union forces. 137; treatment of, by 
Confederates, 155; number of, 155, 
279, 280; taking of, 163, 172, 18.",, 
186, 187, 192, 198, 243, 276, 291, 
306, 313, 343, 368, 437; rescue of, 
373 
Privates, number of, 6-8 
Procter's Creek, Union camp along, 463 
Profane language, order issued relative 

to use of, 26, 27 
Promotions, vacancies filled by, 27, 28 ; 
discontent of troops relative to, 54; 
frequency of, 163 ; announcements of, 
389. 390, 391 
Proix-rty, protection of, 38, 120, 167, 
426, 461 ; destruction of, 154, 157, 
161 190, 209, 210, 232, 244, 245, 



526 



INDEX 



354, 373, 412, 413, 414, 415, 417, 
418, 425 

Prospect (Tennessee), Union camp at, 
228 

Provisions, lack of, 91, 248, 420; leav- 
ing of, by Confederates, 113; lack of, 
in Confederate hospitals, 121 ; distri- 
bution of, to citizens, 216; taking of, 
by troops, 223, 411, 436 

Provost guards, soldiers on duty as, 129, 
131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 171, 426; 
service of Sixth Iowa as, 136 

Prussell, William A., wound received by, 
295 

Public buildings, visiting of, by Union 
troops, 450 

Public property, repossession of, 489 

Pulaski road, Union troops on, 228 

Pumpkin Vine Creek, skirmishes along, 
273 

Pumpkin Vine road, skirmishes along, 
280 

Purdy road. Union troops along, 62, 63, 
69, 77, 114; bridge on, 63; attack 
made along, 67; sound of enemy heard 
along, 69; Confederate troops on, 78; 
guai-ding of, 78 

Quarles, W. A., brigade commanded by, 

311 
Quartermaster, selection of, 8 ; supplies 

received by, 31, 146; drugs secured 

from, 49; duty of, 120; horses taken 

by, 232, 379 
Quartermaster-sergeant, appointment of, 

8 
Queen's Hill, Confederate camp at, 202 
Quick's Church, Union camp near, 422 
Quillen, Thomas, wound received by, 101 
Quincv (Missouri), troops advanced to. 

40 * 
Quirk (Confederate officer), (see Guirk) 
Quota, securing of, in Iowa, 2 

Raids, number of, 249 

Railroad bridge, burning of, 60, 116; 
use of, by Confederates, 298 

Railroad depot, destruction of, 416 

Railroads, use of, in transporting troops. 
4; operation of, 154, 222; guarding of, 
165, 263; Union troops along, 172; 
repairing of, 178, 297, 480; destruc- 
tion of, 183, 211, 245, 321, 340, 341, 
345, 346, 353, 354, 373, 376, 387, 
403, 404, 409, 414, 422, 480; aband- 
onment of, by Confederates, 347 

Rain, river swollen bv, 62 ; troops in, 
62, 68, 104, 144, 145, 213, 361, 362, 
374; discomfort of soldiers caused by, 
92, 104; military operation retarded 
by, 104 

Rains, Gabriel J., troops commanded by, 
32 

Raleigh (North Carolina), reference to, 
444; Confederate troops near, 445; 
roads to, 445, 447 ; advance of troops 
to, 446 ; surrender of, 448 ; troops 
near, 448, 449, 453, 459, 460, 466. 
484, 487; soldiers at, 451; Grant at, 
454; peace terms signed at, 455, 477; 
orders issued at, 459; march of troops 



from, 461, 464; display of banner in 
honor of, 475 
Raleigh road, skirmishes along, 433 
Ramine, Alfred G., capture of, 99 
Ramsey, John, Union troops led by, 236 
Rappahannock River, Union troops near, 

467 
Rarick, Abraham C, service, of, as lieu- 
tenant, 130, 164; wound received by, 
213, 294 
Rarick, Orin S., promotion of, 390; ser- 
vice of, as captain, 435, 436, 492 ; 
bravery of, 437 
Rations, supply of, 11, 33, 48, 63, 67, 
103, 128, 140, 146, 152, 162, 177, 
182, 215, 233, 245, 246, 249, 251. 
252, 271, 297, 312, 316, 333, 351, 
378, 382, 385, 434, 440, 474; giving 
of, to prisoners, 132; reduction of, 
152; loading of, on wagons, 225; 
arrival of, 229; scarcity of, 249, 251, 
271 ; distribution of, to citizens, 465 
Rawlins, Jolin A., report made to, 469 
Rebellion, property of persons engaged 

in, 16'7; siippression of, 334 
Rebellion, War of, Official Records of, 

vii, ix 
Recruits, enlistment of, in Iowa, 45 ; re- 
ceiving of, 116, 124; service of, 339; 
casualties among, 339 
Red River, military activities along, 196 
"Red Shirt" Company, organization of, 4 
Redfield, James, Union troops command- 
ed by, 341 ; wound received by, 343 
Reed, George, death of, 98 
Reed, George H., Union troops com- 

m.anded by, 356 
Reederville (Georgia), Union camp at, 

375 
Reedy, George, death of, 99 
Reedy Mills. Union troops at, 467 
Reem's Station, Union troops at, 462, 

463 
Reenforcements, arrival of, 138 
Reenlistment, questions relative to, 254; 

troops respond to, 256, 259 
Refugees, organization of, 419; move- 
ment of, northward, 426 ; number of, 
in Riclimond, 465 (see also Negro 
refugees) 
Regimental adjutant, selection of, 8 ; con- 
duct of, at Shiloh, 91 
Regimental bands, music by, 388 
Regimental quartermaster (see Quarter- 
master) 
Regimental Silver Band, organization of, 

123 
Regimental wagons, \ise of, 356, 357 
Relics, finding of, by Union soldiers, 182 
Religious services, holding of, 48, 105, 

122, 148, 149, 156, 169 
Republic, powers of, 486; saving of, 488 
Republican party, votes cast for, 135, 

221 
Resaca (Georgia), battle of, 261-274, 
346, 347; Union troops at, 263, 346, 
490; skirmishes near, 265; Confed- 
erates at, 265, 267, 347; artillery 
near, 269; field hospital near, 271; 
abandonment of, by Confederates, 288; 



I 



INDEX 



527 



destruction of raUroad near, 346; Un- 
Kerrvr^o^s^'se'e' Fourth Corps) 
SSt^nfTXl/foif^n union 

iSo!^^.^^'c^^AS^S. 

Rheumatism, prevalence of, 257 
Tthine River, reference to, ^-o . 
Rhodes Jeremiah, wound received by, 

Rhod^es. William A. E., service of, as 

lieutenant, 6 
febrts,"u£"of. ir confederates, 386 
&S'(S=). Unf^n troops at, 

Richardson (Confederate ofacer), troops 
commanded by, 165 , ^„ .f mn- 

Richardson, George S capture of 100 , 
wound received by, 100, 4d5, promo 

RiSrdfon' Robert V., troops command- 
Richardson,^ ViUiam A wound received 

by, 100: death of..241 
Richland Creek, crossing of --8 p.^fgd- 
Richmond (Virginia), f.^* ^' ij°^;^es 
erate government at 64; Confederates 
near 258; march to, 359, 4oi, ^oy. 
Union troops at, 456, 464, 465, 466 
484; fall of, 459; freedom oi soldiers 

Rife,' William M., wound received by, 307 

Rifle trenches, construction of, 234 

Rifle-pits, construction of, 206, 208, ^bb, 

^72- use of 268, 278, 314, 315, 6~i, 

III 382, 383, 385, 386, 431. 432; 

Rirerabandonm^nt'^f, in Confederate 

camp, 202 *„ ^ ro 

Rio Grande River, reference to, 4o^ 
Rinley (Mississippi), Union troops at. 

128, 185. 186; Confederate troops at, 

144 
Rising Sun (Tennessee), Union troops 

at, 125 
Rivers, crossing of. 392 

""si?: srsi. ni"| V-IHa" • 

145 165, 230, 232, 345. 358, 36., 

^79 ^74. 376 377, 382, 39.i, ova, 

III lit: HI: 407,' 424, 433, 450; 

guarding of, 189, 379 _ 

Roanoke River, Union camp along, 461, 

description of, 461; bridge across 462 
Roanoke Valley Railroad, crossing of 461 
Roberts, Henrj% service of, at ^bUon, 
''"88; service of, as color-sergeant 188, 

189; wound received by, 242, -294 
Robertson, George, membership of, m 

band, 9; discharge of, 132 
Robertson, John H., death of, 295 
Robertson, Peter, wound received by 100 
Robinson's Fei-ry, Union troops at, 462 
Robinsons's plantation, Union camp at, 
203 



Rock Island Railroad, Union troops on, 

493 .„. 

Rock-fish Creek, Union camp on, 424 

"Rocky-face", attack made at, 264 
Rocky Mountains, mention of, 4-i, -»» 

Roddev, rhilip D., cavalry commanded 
by, 256 

Rogers, John, death of, 279 

Rogers' Cross-Roads, Union, camp at, 460 

Rogerville (Tennessee), Union troops at, 
228 

Roll call, frequency of, 460 

Rolla (Missouri), inarch from, 32 tioops 
at 43; return of troops to, 44 

Rome, military company at, 3: assign- 
ment of troops from, U, Company K 8 

Rome (Georgia), field hospitals at,_ 272 
Union troops at, 272, 336, 341, oon 
federate troops near, 346 

Rome Railroad, jiinction of, 271 

Romine, Alfred G. (see Ramine, Alfred 

Rorick, David, capture of, 406 

Rose, [William A.], report sent by, 441, 

442 . I t 

Rosecrans, William S., service of, at 

Corin"h 115; army commanded by, 

122 127, 219; victory of troops under, 

Ross,^ Milton H., wound received by, 

213- promotion of, 391 
Ross, Raymond [Ramon 1], wound re- 

Rc^r'wiWkm^H., brigade commanded 

Ro^ssvilllGap, Union troops at 260, 264 
Roswell (Georgia), destruction of fac 

tories at, 300 . „„« 

Roswell Factories, Union troops at, 300 
Kh and Ready (Georgia), meeting of 

trnnns at 335, 356, 358 
Rougrand^Rea'dy road. Union troops 

Rouse'^f'plaSJation, Union troops at 439 
Rowett, Richard, brigade commanded by. 

Rug^gles, Daniel, service of, as command- 

er 72 • j u 

Russell, William A., wound received by, 

Russell house, capture of 110, lU, 112; 
camp established at, 114 

«t T,ouis (Missouri), headquarters of 
Western D vision at, 20; army formed 
2 20 45: arrival of "War Eagle" at, 
92- renort of advance of enemy to- 
ward 23 tribute paid Nathaniel Lyon 
Tt 27 soldiers sent to hospitals in, 
^7 45' 49- communications in news- 
papers of, 50; Union troops sent to 
56 57 59, 259, 483 ; veterans at, ^o9 
Sala,'john A. G., wound received by, 2<9 
Salkahatchie, Union troops at, 487 
Salkehatchie River, skirmishes along, 401 
lalem, consolidation of troops from 4 
Salem (Indiana), Union troops at, 49o 
Salem (Mississippi), Union camp at, 15b 
Salem (Tennessee), Union camp at 2^9 
Saluda FactoiT, Union troops at, 409 



528 



INDEX 



Saluda River, Union troops along, 409; 
junction of, 410; crossing of, 413 

Salutes, firing of, 481 

Sample, Samuel R., discharge of, 132 

Sampson, W. H., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 164 

Samson, Andrew T., wound received by, 
295, 435; promotion of, 317; service 
of, 390, 492 

Sand Hill (Mississippi), Union troops 
at, 191 

Sand Mountains, Union troops at, 230 

Sandy Creek, crossing of, 461 

Sandy Run, Union troops at, 406 

Sanford, William W., brigade command- 
ed by, 194, 199, 200, 203 

Sanitation, lack of, 45, 280; improve- 
ment in, 333 

Santo, Augustus, discharge of, 132 

Sardis (Mississippi), Union troops in, 
187 

Saulsbury (Tennessee), Union camp at, 
221 

Saunders, Governor, Union troops re- 
viewed by, 123 

Saunders, Henry, service of, as captain, 
2, 4, 7, 78, 84, 111, 130; order of, 
relative to securing firewood, 22 ; 
troops rallied by, 87; \vife of, 134 

Saundersville (Georgia), Union troops 
near, 373 

Savage, Alexander R., wound received by, 
268; death of, 329 

Savannah (Georgia), capture of, 359, 

378, 379, 380, 383, 386, 387, 392, 
393, 464, 487; wounded soldiers at, 
371, 397; railroad to, 376; base of 
supplies near, 383; presentation of, to 
President Lincoln, 388; Sherman's 
army at, 392; W. T. Sherman at, 
393; John A. Logan at, 394; Union 
troops near, 398, 399, 405, 435. 484; 
protection of, 414 ; badges adopted at, 
442, 443 ; display of banner in honor 
of, 475 

Savannah (Tennessee), arrival of troops 

at, 60; Grant's headquarters at, 70; 

troops from, 94 
Savannah and King's bridge road. Union 

troops along, 381 
Savannah and Macon Railroad, Union 

troops on, 376 
Savannah and Ogeechee Canal, Union 

troops along, 379 
Savannah River, Union troops along, 

379, 385, 413; crossing of, 386, 398, 
405; commerce on, 389 

Savannah road. Union troops on, 376, 

382, 386 
Sayre, John M., death of, 97 
Schofield, John M., qualifications of, 262; 
troops commanded by, 262, 273, 284, 
302, 328, 434, 441, 445 
Schreiner, Theodore, capture of, 101 
Schrienor, Theodore (see Schreiner, Theo- 
dore) 
Schurz, Carl, speeches by, 248, 451, 452 
Scott, Benjamin F., wound received by, 

99 
Scott, Frank T., death of, 100 
Scott, George F., death of, 279 



Scottsboro (Alabama), activities in vicin- 
ity of, 244-260; camp at, 252, 260 

Scouting, Union troops engaged in, 62, 
64, 66, 171, 197, 222 

Scouts, activities of, 265 

Scoville, John G., wound received by, 
370, 371 

Sea, march to, 372-391, 487, 490 

Seachris, Felix, wound received by, 294 

Sear, C. W., brigade commanded by, 341 

Searcy, Beverly, selection of, as sergeant- 
major, 8 ; participation of, in parade, 
11 ; marriage of, 55 

Secessionists, advance of, 15, 16; retreat 
of, 18, 19; flag of, 399 

Second Army Corps, river crossed bv, 
471 

Second Brigade, formation of, 108, 183, 
194, 212, 263, 275, 310, 313, 336, 
355, 364; officers of, 132, 139, 216, 
224, 229, 231, 355; activities of, 216, 
224, 235, 237, 238, 278, 283, 292, 
302, 305, 368, 377, 399, 406, 429, 
431, 453, 484; commendation of, 
238; casualties in, 240, 278, 330; 
advance of, 244, 264, 268, 276, 277, 
278, 296, 326, 327, 356, 398, 406 
407, 410; camp of, 251, 302, 329, 
363, 405, 411, 470; position of, 266, 
275, 285, 303, 309, 315, 321, 328, 
348, 350, 363, 364, 381, 386, 399, 
400, 403, 407, 430, 432, 448, 472, 
475; division of, 310, 313; assault 
upon, 323 ; arrival of, at Jonesborough, 
329; money of troops in, 352; bravery 
of troops in, 369; marches by, 375, 
376, 417; railroad destroyed by, 404; 
skirmishes led by, 433; flag of, 443, 
444 ; return of, to Louisville, 479 

Second Corps, commander of, 72, 262; 
position of, 74; strength of, 262 

Second Creek, Union camp on, 227 

Second Division, bridge constructed by, 
145, 404; orders received by, 234; 
commander of, 263, 318, 353, 472; 
position of, 275, 304, 309, 310, 327, 
359, 379, 403, 405, 423, 429, 430, 
431; assault on, 305; advance of, 321, 
417, 418, 427; casualties in, 330, 382; 
composition of, 336, 476; service of, 
350, 409, 413; fort captured by, 382; 
river crossed by, 404, 462 ; badge of, 
443 ; flag of, 443 ; camp of, 449 ; 
march by, 463, 466 

Second Iowa Cavalry, directions received 
by, 150; service of, 172, 177, 187; 
enthusiasm of, 188; members of, 192; 
parade viewed by, 192 

Second Iowa Infantry, organization of, 
3; assignment of, to brigade, 185; 
officers of, 221 ; service of, 269 ; ap- 
pearance of, 476 

Second Kansas Infantry, encampment of, 
25 

Second Kentucky Infantry, assault made 
by, 323 ; captiu'e of troops from, 324 

Second-lieutenant, sei-^dce of Henry H. 
Wright as, viii 

Second-lieutenants, names of, 6-8 

Second Tennessee Infantry, position of, 
at Shiloh, 85 



INDEX 



529 



Second Texas Infantry, assault by, 90 
Sedalia (Missouri), Union troops at, 32, 
43, 44, 483 ; Iowa recruits received 
at, 45 ; report of surrender near, 53 ; 
activities at, 58 
Seminary, Iowa troops on campus of, 122 
Senatobia (Mississippi), Union troops at, 
181, 187; destruction of property at, 
190: scoiiting parties near, 191 
Senatobia Creek, Confederates along, 190 
Sentinel, breach of discipline by, 46; 
Union soldier killed by, 107; duty 
of, 119; shots fired by, 178, 179 
Sentinels, orders to, 109 
Sergeant-major, appointment of, 8 
Sergeants, duty of, 119 
Service, John W., wound received by, 99 
Seventeenth Alabama Infantry, assault 

by, 90; position held by, 315 
Seventeenth Army Corps, division com- 
mander of, 149; orders relative to 
149, 351 ; activities of, 283, 394, 401 
403, 445; position of, 284, 299, 302 
309, 322, 364, 382, 394, 421, 427 
431, 473; assault on, 304; composi 
tion of, 336, 476; strength of, 355 
advance made by, 376, 405; assault by 
397; camp of, 413; river crossed by 
422; review of, 434, 453, 454, 463 
casualties in, 435 
Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, appearance 

of, 476 
Seventh Illinois Cavalry, service of, 183 
Seventh Illinois Infantry, service of, 172, 
398, 422; location of, 341; valor of, 
343 
Seventh Iowa Infantry, assembling of, 
at Camp Warren, 5; charact«r of 
troops in, 9; service of, 269; service 
of officer of, 422 ; appearance of, 476 
Seventh Missouri Infanti-j-, assignment 
of, to duty, 34, 50; report of siir- 
render of, 53 
Seventieth Ohio Infantry, reenforcement 
of, 88; activities of, 94; assignment 
of, to brigade, 108, 149, 194, 263; 
Sixth Iowa relieved by, 135; officers 
of, 182, 312, 313 
Seventy-second Ohio Infantry, assignment 
of, to brigade, 108; duty of, as guards, 
129; service of, 139 
Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 108 
Shadna Church, Union troops near, 321 
Shady Grove (North Carolina), Union 

troops at, 461 
Shambaugh, Benj. F., editor's introduc- 
tion by, X 
Shannon, A. M., Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 436; report by, 437 
Sharp, Abner W., loss of, in action, 214 
Sharp, F. M., wound received by, 294 
Sharp, George M., death of, 97 
Sharp, Isaac B., wound received by, 294 
Sharp, John, wound received by, 98 
Sharpshooters, activities of, 314, 315, 

327, 385, 409, 422 
Shaw, Albert T., service of, as major, 
27; report of, relative to physical con- 
dition of troops, 49 ; petition of, rela- 
tive to reappointment of Thomas J. 



Ennis, 54; medical service of, 129 
ambulance corps created by, 180 
bravery of, 238; muster of, from ser 
vice, 349 

Shearer, David, death of, 267 

Sheep, taking of, 146, 147 

Sheets, William, death of, 97 

Shellmound (Tennessee), Union troops 
at, 230, 250 

Sherck, David, wound received by, 318 

Sheridan, Philip, cavalry commanded by, 
470 

Sherm, John, wound received by, 242 

Sherman, William T., march of, to sea, 
vi, 392 ; troops commanded by, 61, 69, 
70, 71, 77, 124, 127, 135, 138, 143, 
148, 149, 155, 197, 212, 219, 223, 
240, 244, 245, 247, 248, 255, 258, 
261, 302, 328, 330, 334, 340, 343, 
344, 345, 355, 360, 389, 392, 394, 
396, 418, 425, 426, 431, 439, 445. 
448, 450, 453, 463, 464, 471, 476, 
480, 482; troops reviewed by, 63, 104, 
133, 148, 216, 217, 228, 325, 337, 
387, 388, 434, 453, 454, 455, 456, 
470; military education of, 71; loca- 
tion of army under, 76; orders given 
by, 84, 109, 116-120, 130, 131, 132, 
139, 233, 335, 356, 379, 434, 459; 
service of, 85, 87, 115, 469, 485; 
consultation of, with Grant, 86; battle 
line formed by, 87, 430; camp of, 94, 
113, 114; casualties in troops of, 
101, 435; advance of Fifth Division 
of army of, 106; activity of division 
directed by, 108, 113, 114; Sixth Iowa 
directed by, 115; arrival of, at Mem- 
phis, 125; si)eech delivered by, 148; 
expedition of, against Vicksburg, 153; 
Grant supported by, 166; attack by, 
196, 290; note written by, 197; ex- 
pedition planned by, 198; not* to, 
199; militaiy genius of, 202, 288; 
arrival of, at Collierville, 220, 221; 
Second Brigade commended by, 238, 
239; confidence in, 243, 272, 299, 
338, 359, 442; report by, 250, 251. 
385, 387; camp life of. 271, 272; 
hospitals protected by, 272; loyalty of 
troops to, 272, 338, 359, 442, 458, 
477; militai-y campaigns of, 287, 393, 
456, 459, 460; request made by, 308; 
truce accepted by, 335; arrival of, 337; 
family of, 337, 472, 473; message sent 
to, 344; Union officer commended by, 
344, 345 ; capture of fort witnessed 
by, 383; surrender of Savannah de- 
manded by, 385; flag of truce sent by, 
385; communication of, to President 
Lincoln, 388; appearance of, 407, 472, 
473, 475; permission granted by, 409; 
service of, at Cohimbia, S. C, 413 ; 
headquarters of. 423 ; presence of, in 
camps, 429 ; financial extremity of. 
441; attitude of, toward soldiers, 442; 
attitude of, to making advance, 446; 
position of, 448; announcement of the 
death of Lincoln made by, 449; nego- 
tiation of, relative to peace, 452, 454, 
455, 457; property rights respected 
by, 461 ; arrival of, at Manchester, 



530 



INDEX 



465; greetings tendered to, 475; hu- 
miliation of, 477; corresjwndence of, 
with Grant, 478; deportment of, 478 

Sherman, Mrs. W. T., reference to, 441, 
442 

"Sherman's Bimijniers", bravei-y of, 438; 
stories told relative to, 473 ; activities 
of, 479 

Shiloh, battle of, vi, 65, 76-92, 95, 114, 
129, 222, 338, 394, 484, 486, 490; 
Iowa troops at, vi, 93-105; advance 
of troops to, 57-75 ; military formation 
at, 75, 76, 95; battlefield of, 76; Un- 
ion troops at, 83, 106, 127; Thomas 
J. Ennis at battle of, 91 ; casualties 
at, 101, 129, 130, 138; improvement 
of roads near, 103; reference to, 113; 
lack of fortification at, 114; strength 
of Confederate army at, 121; cloth- 
ing issued at, 122; reorganization of 
band after battle of, 123 ; prisoner tak- 
en at, 130, 133, 134; anniversary of 
battle of, 173; inefficiency of soldiers 
at, 314; display of banner in honor 
of, 475; trip of soldiers to, 483 

Shiloh Church, location of, 63 ; troops 
near, 63, 70, 74, 95, 104; response of 
Union batteries at, 77; streams flow- 
ing near, 77 

Shinbone Valley road. Union troops on, 
348 

Shipman, Charles B., death of, 317 

Ship's Gap, fortifications at, 347 

Shoal Creek, Union camp near, 227; 
skirmishes near, 321 

Shoes, issue of, 203 

Sibley tents, issue of, 24 ; discontinu- 
ance of use of, 141 

Sick, care of, 49 

Sickness, prevalence of, 45, 49, 50, 
121, 217 

Siege, conducting of, by Confederates, 
315 

Siege guns, use of, at Shiloh, 88 

Sigel, Franz, troops commanded by, 32 

Sigler, D. S., service of, as lieutenant, 
164 

Signal guns, firing of, 473 

Silfversparre, Axel, battery commanded 
by, 139 

Silver, use of, in paying soldiers, 52; 
scarcity of, 134 

Silversmith, David, return of, to service, 
133 ; wound received by, 242 

Simpson, John R., bugle sounded by, 208 

Sister's Ferrj-, Union troops at, 398, 405 

Sixteenth Army Corps, orders relative 
to, 149; activities of, 172, 173; divi- 
sion commander in, 183 ; commander 
of, 263; advance by, 264; bridge built 
by, 269; position of, 275, 302, 309, 
322; assault made on, 304; camp of, 
308; wound of officer of, 318 

Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, appearance of, 
in parade, 476 

Sixth Illinois Cavalry, service of, 139, 
172, 177, 183 

Sixth Iowa Infantry, surviving mem- 
bers of, v; officers of, v, 115, 164, 
236, 238, 278, 306, 310, 317, 331, 
389, 390, 435, 465, 492; service of. 



vi, vii, 1, 114, 179, 184, 185, 187 
191, 204, 206, 214, 221, 231, 236 
268, 278, 301, 306, 319, 331, 335 
362, 383, 385, 386, 409, 410, 418 
419, 429, 431, 438; strength of, vi 
vii, 49, 56, 96, 129, 254, 292, 301 
389; casualties in, vii, 49, 50, 93, 96 
102, 116, 129, 217, 218, 236, 240 
243, 276, 278-280, 286, 292-295, 306 
307, 310, 311, 317, 318, 329, 330 
331, 368, 370, 371, 416, 428, 435 
Henry H. Wright member of, viii; or 
ganization of, 2, 3, 5; athlete in, 9. 
character of troops in, 9, 254; orders 
concerning, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16; tribute 
to, 13, 14, 208, 209; departure of, 
13, 14, 15 16; reenforcements from 
troops of, 18; troops from, returned 
to Keokuk, 19; clothing for, 20, 444; 
transportation of, down Mississippi, 
21; assignment of, to brigade, 34, 60, 
108, 139, 149, 183, 194, 212, 224, 
263, 275, 356, 364; unfurling of flag 
of, 39; inspection of, 48, 67, 122, 123, 
153, 189, 256, 337, 415; assignment 
of, to garrison, 50; rumor of removal 
of, to Texas, 50; La Mine River 
crossed by, 51 ; dress parade by, 51 ; 
192; eagerness of, for~~aetive service, 
58, 59; activities of, 58, 59, 114, 177, 
188, 222, 248, 471; position of, 62, 
63, 76, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 88, 207, 
266, 285, 310, 324, 337, 366, 370, 
430, 431, 432; church attended bv, 
67; guard duty of, 77, 129, 134, 144, 
372, 377, 378, 379, 401, 405, 411, 
414, 418, 420, 429, 454; skirmishes 
of, 78, 203, 235, 303, 326, 350; injury 
to hearing of members of, 88; fatigue 
of troops of, 93 ; James A. Garfield's 
report relative to, 94 ; Grant in com- 
mand of troops from, 94 ; firing on, by 
Confederates, 94, 95 ; capture of mem- 
bers of, 97-101, 279, 280; advance of, 
106, 178, 182, 268, 276, 407, 408, 
432; recruiting of. 111, 116, 339; 
return of, 113, 453; camp of, 116, 
122, 156, 162, 191, 196, 199, 205, 
209, 221, 232, 251, 264, 308, 339, 
386, 394, 398, 462, 470, 493; pay- 
ment of 134, 138, 171, 216, 223, 226, 
352, 482 ; appearance of, at Memphis, 
137, 138, 194; return of, to Fort Pick- 
ering, 138; arrest of members of, 147; 
influence of politics on, 166; tents is- 
sued to, 172; condition of, 173, 185, 
199, 200, 476; letters written by mem- 
bers of, 173; service of, as mounted 
infantry, 185, 187, 191; relief sent 
to, 208; report relative to, 208, 209; 
valor of, 208, 209; railroad destroyed 
by, 211; scouting expeditions of, 255; 
foraging expeditions of, 256, 379; re- 
enlistment of, 256; march of. 263, 
298, 395, 446, 467, 475; rifle-pits 
occupied by, 278; muster out of, 300, 
488; tobacco given troops of, 316; 
visit of Governor in camp of, 316, 317; 
critical position of, 320; retreat of, 
320; review of, 337; sorrow of mem- 
bers of, at death of John L. Bashore, 



INDEX 



531 



349; votes cast by members of, 352; 
promotion of members of, 389, 390; 
assault upon, 408 ; conduct of mem- 
bers of, 414, 415; passes granted to 
members of, 450; address delivered by 
officer of, 465; appearance of, 476; 
embarking of, on Ohio River, 480; 
return of, to Louisville, 482 ; anniver- 
sary observed by, 483 ; troops asso- 
ciated with, 488, 489; separation of 
members of, 494 

Sixth Iowa Veteran Infantiy, furloughs 
of, 259; transfer of troops to, 479; 
farewell address to, 489-491 

Sixth Kentucky Infantry, activities of, 
85, 86; assault by, 323 

Sixth Mississippi Infantry, service of, at 
Shiloh, 85 

Sixth Ohio Infantry, bravery of, 89; 
assignment of, to service, 139 

Sixth Texas Cavalry, service of, 202 

Sixtv-sixth Indiana Infantry, service of, 
220 

Skelly, James M. (see Skelly, Joseph M.) 

Skelly, Joseph M., transfer of, 133 

Skirmishers, retreat of, 323 

Skirmishes, participation in, 107, 110, 
203, 206, 207, 249, 251, 266, 269, 
275, 276, 280, 281, 282, 284, 297, 
299, 302, 314, 315, 321, 322, 325, 
326, 327, 342, 350, 358, 365, 373, 
378, 381, 385, 386, 399, 400, 402, 
406, 408, 409, 430, 432, 433, 446, 
447 

Slack (Missouri officer), troops command- 
ed by, 32 

Slaves, conditions of. in South, 1, 168, 
175; freeing of, 158; opinion of, 167; 
labor of, on fortifications. 299 

Sleight, Devila, death of, 293 

Slocum, Henry W., Union troops com- 
manded by, 328, 355, 373, 413, 430, 
445, 459 : orders to, 379, 465 ; service 
of, 431, 445, 473; attitude of, toward 
dependent citizens, 451 ; officer on staff 
of, 451 

Small-pox, death from, 271 

Smith (Confederate officer), troops com- 
manded by, 165, 172 

Smith, Captain, activities of, 255 

Smith, Major, fort in field of, 164, 165 

Smith, Albert M., death of, 100 

Smith, A.sbury, wound received by, 243 

Smith. "Bob", paroles granted by, 166, 
167; guerrilla band led by, 171 

Smith, (jharles F.. command assigned to, 
65; position selected by, 65 

Smith, G. W., service of, 369 

Smith, Giles A., brigade commanded by, 
234, 290, 292 

Smith, Henry W., death of, 100 

Smith, James Riley, wound received by, 

98 
Smith. John E., Union troops command- 
ed by. 234, 239, 240, 263, 336, 353, 
355, 381, 387, 401, 429; appearance 
of. 407 
Smith, Milo, brigade commanded by, 355, 

376 
Smith, Morgan L., troops commanded by, 
lOS, 139, 234, 263, 309; advance led 



by, 110; leave of absence granted to, 
318 

Smith, N. M., service of, as physician, 
492 

Smith, Robert W., plantation of, 157 

Smith, Samuel, wound received by, 279 

Smith, Thomas J., wound received by, 99 

Smith, Walter, death of, 99 

Smith, William Sooy, troops commanded 
by, 177, 180, 181, 183, 193, 194, 199, 
203, 209, 212; communication sent by, 
208 

Smithfleld (North Carolina), Confeder- 
ate camp at, 445 ; roads to, 445, 447 ; 
Confederate troops at, 446 

Smithfleld road, juncture of, 431; Union 
troops along, 447 

Smyrna Camp Meeting Grounds, Union 
troops at, 339, 340, 352 

Snake Creek, Union troops near, 70; 
stream flowing into, 87 

Snake Creek Gap, Union troops at, 264, 
265, 346; skirmishes near, 347 

Snake Creek Valley, occupation of, by 
Confederate forces, 347 

Snow, troops in, 47, 51, 52 

Snyder, O. C, wound received by, 242, 
295 ; promotion of, 391 

Snyder's Bluif, Union troops at, 195, 
199; equipment at, 212; casualty at, 
218 

Social activities, enjoyment of, in camps, 
58 

Social Circle (Georgia), Union troops 
at, 356 

Soldiers, number of, 5 ; care of, 5, 203 ; 
equipment of, 5, 11, 146; character 
of, 9. 250; attitude of, when called 
to service, 10; food for, 11; tributes 
to, 13; transportation of, 17, 61; de 
struction of property by, 19, 20; in 
spiration received by, at United States 
Arsenal, 24; hospitals for, 26, 45 
appearance of, 30; discontent among 
37; furloughs to, 45, 216; pay of 
47, 107, 108, 134, 138; hardships of 
47, 48, 61, 117, 203, 211, 248, 249 
264; disability of 50, 51; wine given 
to, .59; duties of, 61; preparation of 
to hold Mississippi Valley, 66 ; re 
strictions upon, 70, 71, 131, 146 
experiences of, prior to enlistment. 71 
72; treatment of, 89, 161; burial of 
102 ; instructions observed by, 120 
privileges granted to, 130, 131, 220 
conduct of, 130, 131, 411, 414; oppor 
tunity to visit with, in camp, 134 
punishment of, 147; addresses to, 159 
160, 489-491; capture of, 172; let 
ters by, 173-175; participation of. in 
election, 221, 335; courage of, 250 
leave of absence granted to, 335; in 
toxication of, 414 
"Soleleather-pie Camp", naming of, 47 
Sole-leather-pies, reference to, 47, 483 
Solon, troops from, 4 
Sommers, Jerome B. (see Summers, Je- 
rome B.) 
Songs, singing of, 380, 483 
Soundings, taking of, on the Mississippi, 
21, 22 



35 



532 



INDEX 



South, Confederate troops in, 452 ; cam- 
paigning' in, 482 
South, Gate City of the, 487 
South Bend (Indiana), Union soldier 

at, 442 
South Broad Street (Savannah, Georgia), 

Union troops on, 387, 388 
South Carolina, Union army in, vi, 386, 
393, 394, 398, 399, 408, 423, 426, 
441, 442, 466, 484, 487, 490; ad- 
vance on capital of, 405, 406 ; destruc- 
tion of railroads in, 414 ; destruction 
of property in, 414, 417; swamps in, 
428; topography of, 461; roads in, 480 
South Carolina Railroad, Union troops 
along, 398, 402, 403; destruction of, 
404 
South Edisto River, crossing of, 404 
South River, Union troops along, 427 ; 

crossing of, 428 
Southern belles, reference to, 175 
Southern Historical Society Papers, de- 
scription of battle of Chattanooga in, 
239, 240 
Spain, William, wound received by, 100 
Spallman, John, wound received by, 286 
Spanish-American War, service of Joseph 

Wheeler in, 90 
Special aide, men serving as, 74 
Spencer rifles, use of, 365, 368, 403, 431 
Spencer's plantation. Union camp on, 462 
Spinks, James P., wound received by, 

279, 435 
Springfield (Missouri), march to, 32, 38, 
41, 49, 58, 483; Fremont's army at, 
40, 44 ; encampment near, 41, 43 ; 
drill in camp at. 43 ; Iowa recruits at, 
45 ; care of sick on march to, 49 
Springfield (South Carolina), Union 

troops at, 423 
Sprin^eld musket, 59, 67 
Springfield rifles, use of, 365, 368, 403 
Springtown Meeting-House, Union camp 

at, 402 
Spurting, James H., death of, 97 
Squad drill, time devoted to, 26 
Staff officers, assembling of, 473, 474 
Stafford, Orin P., promotion of, 390, 492 
Stafford Court House (Virginia), Union 

troops at, 466, 467 
Stafford hills, view of landscape from, 

468 . 
Stampede, cause of, in Union camp, 212 
Stanton, E. M., peace terms criticised by, 
457, 458; Sherman criticised by, 47'7 
Stark, Abram S., wound received by, 294 
Stars and Stripes, establishing of, 159, 

160; display of, 247, 487, 488 
Starvation, prevention of, 491 
State capital (Mississippi), Union troops 

in possession of, 209 
State capital (North Carolina), reference 

to, 444 
State capital (Virginia), visit of troops 

to, 465 
State Historical Society of Iowa, manu- 
script submitted to, v ; editor's intro- 
duction written by superintendent of, x 
State House (North Carolina), Union 
soldiers at, 450, 453 



State House (South Carolina), damage 

done to, by Union shell, 409 
State University of Mississippi, site of, 

152 
Statesborough (Georgia), skirmishes 

near, 377 
Steamboats, transportation of soldiers on, 

14, 22 
Steele, Frederick, troops commanded by, 

34 
Steen (Confederate officer), troops com- 
manded by, 32 
Stevens, Abraham B., capture of, 100 
Stevens, Charles, death of, 136 
Stevens' Gap, Confederates driven 

through, 231 
Stevenson (Alabama), Union troops near, 

229, 251, 253; supplies at, 230 
Stewart, Alexander B., wound received 

by, 99 
Stewart, Alexander P., service of, as 

commander, 72, 311, 328, 340, 341, 

346; wound received by, 312; Atlanta 

evacuated by, 328 
Stewart, Harlan M., wound received by, 

267 
Stewart, Henry C, wound received by, 

213 
Stewart, "Loppy", trade made by, 150, 

151 
Stewart, Marlain M., wound received by, 

318 
Stewart, Robert F., death of, 368, 370 
Stewart, William H., death of, 437 
Stitt, Robert A., promotion of, 317, 492 
Stone, George A., troops commanded by, 

410, 412, 413, 459, 472 
Stone, William M., candidacy of, for 

Governor, 221 ; Iowa troops visited 

by, 316, 317 
Stone Mountain, Union troops near, 302 
Stone River, battle of, 394 
Stoney Creek, Confederates driven from, 

397 
Stony Creek, Union camp at, 462 
Stories, circulation of, among troops, 23, 

483 
Stoves, securing of, 48, 162 
Stratton, Charles F., service of, as drum- 
mer, 67; wound received by, 67, 98; 

death of, 435 
Street, S. G., train destroyed by troops 

of, 172 
Street, Solomon, troops commanded by, 

154, 165; paroles granted by, 166, 167 
Stuart, Colonel, brigade commanded by, 

69 
Stump, David M., service of, as captain, 

2, 4, 6 
Sturgis, Samuel D., troops commanded 

by, 32 
Sugar Creek, Union troops on, 228 
Sugar Valley, Union camp in, 265, 346 
Sullivan, General, troops commanded by, 

155 
Summers, Jerome B., wound received by, 

98 
Summerville (Georgia), Union troops to, 

347, 375, 376, 448 
Sumner, Samuel, death of, 318 
"Sunny South", reference to 489 



INDEX 



533 



Supplies, abundance of, 31, 67, 128, 141, 
144, 197, 252, 348, 434, 436; trans- 
portation of, 35; need of, 40, 152, 
251, 420, 423, 426; leaving of, by 
Confederates, 113; destruction of, 116, 
150, 230; taking of, from Confeder- 
ates, 180, 202, 223; arrival of, 229; 
guarding of, 273 ; deliverance of, at 
Big Shanty, 297; foraging for, 358, 
359, 375, 420; shipment of, from New 
England, 389 
Surgeon, assistant, commission of, 5 
Surgeon, chief, commission of, 27 
Surgeons, services of, 31; report of, 
relative to physical condition of troops, 
49 
Surle, Anthony W., death of, 279 
Sutherland, William H., death of, 204, 

213 
Swamps, opinion of Confederate officers 

relative to, 392 
Swan, James, wound received by, 279; 

promotion of, 390; service of, 492 
Swayney, William, death of, 99 
Swift, Madison I., injury received by 

428 
Swift Creek, crossing of, 463 
Swisher, J. A., index prepared by, x 
"Switzerland" of United States, refer- 
ence to, 248 
Syracuse (Missouri), troops at, 34, 37, 
57; condition of soldiers in camp at, 
49; music by band near, 51; Union 
troops sent from, 57 

Tabernacle Church, Union camp at, 462 

Talbot, Levi, wound received by, 213 

Tallahatchie River, Confederates along, 
126, 143, 145, 181, 186; bridge across, 
145 ; fortifications along, 145, 151 ; 
troops along, 151, 153, 154, 178, 179, 
180; territory along, 180; crossing of, 
185, 186; destruction of crops along, 
180 

Tallaloosa (Mississippi), Union troops at, 
187 

Tattoo, sounding of, 69 

Taylor, Richard, Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 168; execution denounced 
by, 168; service of, 369 

Tavlor, William P., wound received by, 

ioi 

Taylor, Zachary, service of, in war with 
Mexico, 73 ; son of, 168 

Taylor's Ridge, Union troops at, 264, 
347, 348 

Tellico Plains road. Union troops on, 248 

Tennessee, abandonment of, by Confed- 
erates, 64, 127, 250, 251, 427; Gov- 
ernor of, 74 ; troops from. 85, 86, 90, 
121; return of General Buell to, 121, 
127; Department of, 122; Union troops 
in 122, 172, 211, 244, 247, 351, 486; 
Confederates in, 128, 133, 143, 154, 
156, 165; Sixth Iowa in, 137, 138, 
248 ; military situation in, 142 ; letter 
relative to, 173, 174; loyalty of citi- 
zens in, 247, 248; lack of provisions 
in, 248 

Tennessee River, Grant's campaign along, 
54, 57, 60, 65, 70; spring freshet in, 



60, 62 ; transportation of troops on, 
60, 224 ; formation of expedition on, 
65; Union troops near, 66, 69, 88, 
222, 226, 227, 234, 245, 253; Con- 
federate troops near, 75, 156, 351; 
topography near, 76, 255 ; road near, 
224; reference to, 225, 230; fishing 
in, 226; crossing of, 230, 233, 250, 
252; guarding of, 252; foraging ex- 
pedition along, 256, 257 
Tennessee scrip, use of, as money, 134 
Tennessee Valley, wealth in, 225 
Tenth Army Corps, service of, 445 ; re- 
view of, 453 
Tenth Iowa Infantry, appearance of, 476 
Tenth Texas Infantry, assignment of, to 

brigade, 341 
Tents, issue of, 24, 25, 141, 172; pitch- 
ing of, in snow, 52 ; arrival of, 62, 
213; assembling of, 212 
Terry, A. H., Union troops organized 

by, 453 
Terry, Henry, capture of, 279 
"Texas, rumor of removal of Iowa troops 
to, 50; troops from, in Mexican war, 
73 ; assault made by troops from, 90, 
240; Union troops in, 212; sending 
of troops to, 481, 482 
Texas, Republic of, service of A.lbert Sid- 
ney Johnston for, 73 
Texas Rangers, advance of, 23 ; Union 
soldiers captured by, 81 ; position of, 
81, 86 
Theaters, attendance at, by soldiers, 141, 

195 
Thielemann, Christian, battalion com- 
manded by, 139, 140 
Third brigade, formation of, 108, 194, 
263, 459; activities of, 108, 305, 407, 
413; commander of, 139, 355; posi- 
tion of, 266, 275, 285, 302, 303, 309, 
472- order of, 357; return of, to Louis- 
ville, 479 
Third Corps, commander of, 72, 262; 
position of, in battle line, 74; strength 
of, 262 
Third Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, 
men in, 70, 336, 459; camp of, 228, 
449 ; orders received by, 234 ; command- 
er of, 263, 353; service of, 341, 416; 
position of, 359, 364, 381, 402, 403, 
404, 405, 423, 429, 448; review of, 
387'; advance made by, 401, 402, 418, 
427; badge of, 443; flag of, 443; 
division of, 459 
Third Iowa Brigade, advance by, 410; 

service of, as guards, 412 
Third Iowa Infantry, organization of, 3 
Third Kentucky Infantry, activities of, 85 
Third Louisiana Infantry, camp of, 196; 

service of, 196 
Third Missouri Infantry, consolidation 

of, 297 
Third Texas Cavalry, service of, 202 
Thirteenth Army Corps, orders relative 
to, 149; pass obtained by member of, 
157; advance of, 199; service of, 211, 
212 
Thirteenth United States Infantry, as- 
signment of, to brigade, 139; assemb- 



534 



INDEX 



ling of, at Memphis, 148; service of, 
220 
Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, assignment of, 
to brigade, 459 ; appearance of, 476 ; 
transfer of troops from, 479; service 
of officers of, 489 
Thirty-first Alabama Infantry, activities 

of, 85; capture of, 285 
Thirty-first Iowa Infantrj-, capture of 
officer of, 406; assignment of, to bri- 
gade, 459; appearance of, 476 
Thirty-second Texas Infantry, assignment 

of, to brigade. 341 
Tliirty-second Wisconsin Infantry, as- 
signment of, to service, 139 
Thirty-fifth Mississippi Infantry, service 

of, 341 
Thirty-fifth Tennessee Infantry, Union 

flank attacked by, 85 
Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, bravery 

of, 89 
Thirtv-ninth Alabama Infantry, position 

held by, 315 
Thirtj-ninth Iowa Infantry, location of, 
341 ; wound of officer of, 343 ; service 
of, 343 ; casualties in, 343 ; appear- 
ance of, 476 
Thirty-ninth Mississippi Infantry, service 

of, 341 
Thirty-ninth North Carolina Infanti-j-, as- 
signment of, to brigade, 341 
Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, relief sent to, 

52 
Thomas, Atwell, service of, at Corinth, 

115 
Thomas, George Henry, Sixth Iowa di- 
rected by, 115; confidence of north in, 
243; army commanded by, 261, 273, 
302, 328, 394; qualifications of, 262; 
attack made by, 264; location of troops 
under, 284; reinforcements sent to, 
351 
Thomas, Jacob B, wound received by, 

242 
Thomas, James E., wound received by, 

306; promotion of, 390 
Thomas, John B., wound received by, 

370 
Thomas, Lorenzo, inspection of troops by, 
34: report of, to Secretary of War, 35 
Thomas, Zachariah, wound received by, 

371; promotion of, 390 
Thompson, Jacob, service of, as cabinet 

member, 74 
Thompson, John B., capture of, 133 
Thompson, Thomas R., woiind received 

by, 241 
Thrasher, Nathaniel, wound received by, 

99 
Tiller's bridge. Union troops at, 419 
Tilton (Georgia), sui'render of Union 

troops at, 346 
Timber, use of, in camps, 48 
Tippecanoe Guards, organization of, 3, 

4 ; assignment of, to Company K, 8 
Tipton (Missouri), march from, 32, 57; 
troops advanced to, 34, 483 ; encamp- 
ment at, 52 ; celebration at, 54, 55 ; 
activities at, 58 
Titus, George W., membership of, in 
band, 9; discharge of, 133 



Titus, Samuel M., return of, to service, 

133 
Tobacco, exchange for, 315; scarcity of, 

316; seizing of, 411; raising of, 461 
Tobin, John, wound received by, 242 
Toombs, Robert, service of, 369 
Totten, [James], inspection of troops by, 

32 
Tourtellotte, J. E., division commanded 

by, 341 ; bravery of, at Allatoona, 345 
Townsend, Thomas, wound received by, 

101 
Trabue, Robert P., service of, as com- 
mander, 72, 85, 86; staff officer of, 

74; report of battle made by, 85, 86 
Train, attack made on, 170; capture of, 

172 
Transportation, difficulties in, 61, 102 ; 

means of, 134; inspection of, 426 
Travis, Joseph W., death of, 293 
Treasury Building, Union troops at, 474, 

475, 476 
Trenches, construction of, 206 
Trenton (Georgia), Union troops near, 

230, 231; military operations near, 

231, 232; destruction of property at, 
232; expedition to, 233; taking of 
prisoners near, 243 

Trion Factory, Union troops at, 348 

Tripp, Clark, wound received by, 99 

Troops, call for, 2, 3 ; transportation of, 
4, 20, 35; service of, 12; number of, 
12, 35; advance by, 32, 33, 38, 39: 
equipment of, 33 : number of, dropped 
from regiment, 33; physical test of, 
33, 34; inspection of, 34, 35. 48, 389; 
enthusiasm of, 38, 39; hardships en- 
countered by, 41, 44, 232; inexperience 
of, in use of fire arms, 46; payment 
of, for services, 52 ; conditions among, 
67. 91; breaking of rank of, 87; 
rallying of, 87 (see also Soldiers) 

Troutman, Casper S., wound received by, 
318 

Truce, arrangements for, 335; suspen- 
sion of, 454 

Ti-ussell, George, capture of, 279; death 
of, 279 

Tucker, Henry L., death of, 213 

Tull, William D., death of, 268 

Tunnel Hill, Union troops near, 234, 
235; attack made on, 235, 236, 237; 
evacuation of, 238; Confederates at, 
244; destruction of railroad near, 346 

Tupelo (Mississippi), Confederate army 
near, 120, 121, 128; Union troops 
at, 122, 185 

Tm-keys, taking of, 147 

Turkeytown Valley, Confederate troops 
in, 350, 351 

Turner, James, wound received by, 202, 
295; promotion of, 390; service of, 
492 

Tuscumbia (Alabama), railroad to, 224; 
Confederate troops at, 351 

Tuttle, James M., candidacy of, for Gov- 
ernor, 221 

Twelfth Army Corps, service of, 393 ; 
badge of, 442 

Twelfth Illinois Infantry, location of, 341 



INDEX 



535 



Twelfth Indiana Infantry, assignment of, 

to brigade, 149, 194, 263 
Twelfth New York Cavalry, service of, 

437: capture of members of, 437 
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, position of, 

439 
Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, service of, 

341 
Twentieth Army Corps, position of, 267, 
340, 382, 474; attack made by, 274; 
service of, 328, 364, 386, 431, 438, 
445; strengrth of, 355; march made 
by, 413; river crossed by, 422; cas- 
ualties in, 435 
Twenty-third Tennessee Infantry, posi- 
tion' held by, 315 
Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, ofttcer of, 

221; marching of, 453 
Twenty-third Army Corps, sending of, 
to Tennessee, 251; position of, 328; 
capture of members of, 437 ; service 
of, 445 : review of troops in, 453 
Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, encamp- 
ment of, 25 
Twenty-third Tennessee Infantry, posi- 
tion of, at Sliiloh, 85; Union flank 
attacked by, 85 
Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry, casual- 
ties "in, 93 
Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, marching 

of, *453 
Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry, bravery 

displayed by, 89 
Twenty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, posi- 
tion' of, at Shiloh, 85; Union flank 
attacked by, 85 
Twenty-fifth Alabama Infantrj', position 

held by, 315 
Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, officer of, 
138, 459; assignment of, to brigade, 
459; appearance of members of, 476; 
transfer of troops from, 479 
Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, assign- 
ment of, to brigade, 194, 263, 356; 
return of, 259; transfer of, 313; ser- 
vice of, 364, 433 ; association of, with 
Iowa trooi)s, 488 
Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, commander 
of, 355; assignment of, to brigade, 
459; appearance of, 476 
Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, marching 

of, 453 
Twenty-ninth Missouri Infantry, service 

of, 378, 398, 422 ^ , . 

Twenty-ninth North Carolina Infantry, 

assignment of, to brigade, 341 
"Tyler" (gunboat), voyage of, on Ten- 
nessee River, 61 . „, ^r. ioi 
Typhoid fever, prevalence of, 31, 49, l-ii 

Udell, Grotius N., wound received by, 98 
Ufford, John, service of, as chaplain, 5, 

30, 129, 156 
Ulrick, Tobias, death of, 464 46o 
"Uncle Sam", reference to, 451 
"Unconditional Surrender (see trrant, 

U S ) 
Union, division of, 1; devotion to, 54; 
celebration in honor of, 55; loyalty 
of citizens to, 59, 246, 255 438, 451, 
456; victory of, at Fort Henry, 65; 



stories injurious to, 163; loyalty of 
negroes to, 169, 170; restoration of, 
334, 489, 492 
Union army, defeat of. at Bull Run, 10; 
position held by, 18, 96, 107, 270, 
272, 319; casualties in, 18, 306, 307, 
330, 331; services of Nathaniel Lyon 
in, 27; support of, by citizens of Mis- 
souri, 45; enthusiasm over victory of, 
57; assembling of, at St. Louis, 65; 
Grant as leader of, 65; preparation 
of, 65, 95; preparation of, to se- 
cure Mississippi Valley, 66 ; location 
of regiments in, 69; strength of, 70, 
107, 124, 139, 142, 143, 155, 184, 
254, 255, 261, 262, 318, 341, 355, 357, 
364, 392, 393, 408, 445, 453, 472, 
474; assault by, 88; courage of, 95; 
defense made by, 95; criticism of, 96; 
victories of, 114, 115, 158, 198, 219, 
285, 485-488; scattering of, 121; ter- 
ritory held by, 127, 152; advance of, 
145," 151, 152, 158, 243, 258, 268, 
431; discouragement of, 158: opinion 
of members of, relative to continuation 
of war, 167; service of negroes in, 
168; relatives of soldiers in, 248; 
citizens of Tennessee in, 248; tribute 
paid to, by W. T. Sherman, 250, 251; 
activities of, 250, 267, 392; lack of 
unity in, 257, 258; conditions in, 258, 
259, 261; assault made upon, 276; 
fortification of, 284, 396; assault made 
by, 325, 383 : attitude of, to Lincoln, 
334; return of, to Atlanta, 351: equip- 
ment of, 357; appearance of, 358, 
408, 448; Savannah taken by, 386; 
efficiency of, 387; organization of, 
393; capture made by, 425; military 
display made by, 453 
Union army corps, marches made by, 

418 
Union causeway. Confederates near, 386 
Union commanders. misunderstanding 
of, 65; plan of campaign of, 65, 66; 
opinions of. relative to war, 167; 
pursuit abandoned by, 210; orders 
of, relative to property, 21(D 
Union fleet, communication with. 383 
Union forces, command of, in Missouri, 
15; reports of disaster of, 16, 17; 
confidence of, in leadership of John 
C. Fremont. 21: retreat of, 44, 179, 
208; Memphis captured by, 125; suc- 
cess' of. 127. 224; activities of. in 
Mississippi, 153; railroad lines oper- 
ated by, 154; strength of, 155, 156, 
185, 187, 193. 194, 245; attacks 
made upon, 165; combining of, 223; 
movement of, to Knoxville, 245 : ob- 
servation of. by Confederate officers, 
284; property destroyed by, 354 
Union Guards "(Hardin County), organ- 
ization of, 2 ; assignment of, to Com- 
pany C, 7 
Union Guards (Johnson County), organ- 
ization of, 3, 4; assignment of, to 
Company G, 7 
Union liberty pole, erection of, 54 
Union money, use of, 451 



536 



INDEX 



Union, officer, hanging of, in Louisiana, 
168 

Union officers, plan of campaign of, 65, 
66; promotion of, 317; care exercised 
by, 377; troops reviewed by, 434; con- 
fidence of troops in, 440 ; civil rights 
respected by, 461 ; activities of, 477 

Union prisoners, rescue of, 373; holding 
of, by Confederates, 422 

Union soldiers, reception of, at Croton, 
17; transportation of, 21, 395; 
strength of, 70, 106, 149, 172, 216, 
217, 224, 244, 290, 380, 440, 453; 
experiences of, prior to enlistment, 71, 
72; participation of, in battles, 75, 81, 
85; capture of, 81, 155, 208; charge 
against, 86; firing on, by Confederates, 
94, 95; burial of, 102; patriotism of, 
109, 170, 253, 254, 288; position of, 
111, 304, 313, 314, 341; casualties 
among. 111, 307, 313, 324, 325, 330, 
342, 369, 465; arrival of, at Corinth, 
113; payment of, 123, 153, 216, 223, 
226, 251, 259, 297, 351, 352, 420, 
460, 469, 482, 494; scattering of, 
127; military display of, 139, 476; 
regret of, in leaving Memphis, 142 ; ad- 
vance of, 144. 314, 365, 406, 409; 
fatigue of, 145, 146, 420; inspection 
of, 148, 149, 171, 216, 259, 276, 415, 
444; division of, 149; hardships of, 
152, 153, 189, 196, 233, 251, 257, 
271, 293, 298, 315, 319, 328, 329, 
426, 467; whiskey given to, 152, 171, 
182, 191; treatment of, by Confeder- 
ates, 155; addresses to, 159, 160; re- ■ 
sentment of, 161; furloughs given to, 
163; relations of, with negroes, 169, 
170, 396; health of, 173, 357, 358, 
440, 446, 469 ; movement of, south- 
ward, 177; camp abandoned by, 181; 
enthusiasm of, 194, 195, 197, 270, 
325; passes granted to, 195, 479; ac- 
tivities of, 197, 432; property de- 
stroyed by, 210; privileges granted to, 
214; conduct of, 214; review of, 217; 
discriminating against, 223 ; ammuni- 
tion given to, 235; courage of, 249, 
292, 315, 485; conditions of, 251, 
252, 354, 416, 426, 441, 444, 446, 
469; reenlistment of, 256; morale of, 
273; Confederate guns heard by, 280; 
retreat of, 292, 319, 323; success of, 
298, 310, 332; marksmanship of, 314, 
439; assault made by, 326, 327; cus- 
toms acquired by, 333 ; expiration of 
term of service of, 351; treatment of, 
when sick or wounded, 352; confidence 
of, in commander, 358; song sung by, 
380; appearance of, 388, 389, 434, 
444, 456, 460, 472 ; town in pos- 
session of, 396; war discussed by, 
451; rejoicing of, 456, 457; ra- 
tions issued to, 465 ; pride of, 475 ; 
humiliation of, 477 ; conduct of, at 
Washington, D. C, 478; muster of, 
from service, 479, 481, 482, 483; 
amusements enjoyed by, 482 ; visit by 
relatives of, 482; activities of, 490; 
retMrn of, from service, 491 ; death of, 
on battlefields, 491 ; disbandment 



of, 491 ; attitude of officers toward, 
491, 492; efficiency of, 492, 493 (see 
also Troops and Soldiers) 

Unionists, Hardee's Military Tactics 
adopted by, 26, 73 

United States, John C. Breckinridge Vice 
President of, 73 ; government of, 146 ; 
negroes in military service of, 168; 
freeing of negroes in, 175; death of 
President of, 449, 450; taking of arms 
against, 455; gi-eeting of President of, 
475 

United States Army, Confederate officers 
in, 73, 90; property delivered to of- 
ficer of, 454 

United States Arsenal (St. Louis, Mis- 
souri), troops at, 22, 24, 25 

United States Government, attitude of, 
in Civil War, 1; clothing furnished 
by, 20 

United States greenbacks, use of, in pay- 
^ ing soldiers, 52, 134 

United States marshal, assistant, service 
of, 349 

United States naval service, activities of. 
425 

United States Signal Corps, officer of, 
344 

LTnited States Volunteer Service, history 
of regiment of, vi ; regiments mustered 
into, 3, 5; musicians in, 8 

Upper Savannah road, junction of, 378 

Utah, expeditions against Mormans in, 
73 

Vacancies, filling of, 390 

"Vacant Chair, The", singing of, 451 

Vandervort, Gilbert G., capture of, 98 

Van Dorn, Earl, Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 115, 135, 143, 150, 154, 
155, 156, 165; expedition of, 160; ex- 
oneration of, 160 

Vandyke, William H., wound received by, 
241 

Van Hook, Macon C, wound received bv, 
268 

Vanscoy, Aaron, promotion of, 317 

Van Vleet, Willard B., wound received 
by, 213 

Van Wert (Georgia), Union troops near, 
273 

Veaeh, James C, Union troops command- 
ed by, 155 

Versailles (Missouri), Confederates cap- 
tured near, 54 

Veteran furloughs, granting of, 259, 282, 
482, 484 

Veteran pay, receipt of, 259 

Veterans, furloughs issued to, 259, 282, 
482, 484; festivities of, 260; return 
of, to service, 260; reenlistment of, 
260, 265, 484; fort inspected by, 464; 
muster of, from service. 482 

Vice President, service of John C. Breck- 
inridge in office of, 73 

Vicksburg (Mississippi), campaign 
against, 142, 148, 153, 155, 156, 158, 
193-205, 215; capture of, 165, 197, 
198, 219; Grant in vicinity of, 175; 
railroad near, 183 : Union troops sent 
to, 194; cannonading at, 195; siege 



INDEX 



537 



of, 202, 215, 394, 464, 486, 490; Con- 
federate retreat from, 214; equipment 
sent to, 219; Union camp near, 219, 
251, 484; Union army called from, 
250; efficiency of soldiers at, 314; 
wound of officers at, 318; display of 
banner in honor of, 475 
Villa Rica road, Union troops along, 275; 

skirmishes along, 276, 277 
Villanow (Georgia), Union camp at, 264; 

skirmishes near, 347 
Vincent, George R., death of, 98 
Vlning's Station, Union troops at, 352 
Vinson, Thomas G., wound received by, 

318 
Virginia, news of battles in, 9, 10; Con- 
federates in, 247, 258, 447; surrender 
of Confederates in, 447; motto of, 449; 
Grant's army in, 450, 462; topography 
of, 467, 468; battlefields in, 484 
Voils, Charles A., wound received by, 98 
Volunteers, calling for, 2, 3; service of, 
200, 409 

Wadsworth, Noyes W., death of, 100 
Wages (see Union soldiers, payment of) 
Wagon trains, arrival of, at Memphis, 
194; use of, 212, 227, 256, 257, 273; 
guarding of, 229, 381; appearance of, 
358; delay of, 372 
Wagoner, David, loss of, in action, 214 
Wagoners, number of, 6-8, 12 
Wagons, use of, by troops, 4, 31, 35, 
140, 384; number of, 33; loading of, 
with rations, 225; destruction of, 230; 
transporting of, 427 
Wailes, Lloyd, wound received by, 241, 

307 
Waite, John W., wound received by, 329 
Walcutt, Charles C, troops commanded 
bv 139, 235, 236, 237, 239, 263, 269, 
277, 285, 290, 296, 309, 313, 330, 
336, 355, 364, 365; comment of, rela- 
tive to Second Brigade, 238; report 
by, 310, 331; wound received by, 367 
Walden, Madison M., service of, as cap- 
tain, 2, 6, 67, 77, 130; athletic ability 
of, 9; advance of troops under, 16; 
dress parade directed by, 51; scouting 
party directed by, 54 ; camp established 
by, 63; guard duty of company under, 
77'; troops commanded by, 78, 81, 83, 
87 94, 106; reenforcements brought 
by,' 80; orders given by, 80; orders 
to, 80; retreat ordered by, 83; com- 
mand of regiment assumed by, 87; 
106- Sixth Iowa commanded by, 106; 
illness of. 111; wife of, 134 
Walker W. H. T., Confederate troops 

led by, 276, 278; death of, 307 
Wallace, Lew, troops commanded by, 70, 
93, 125; battle renewed by troops un- 
der, 93; casualties in troops of, 93 
Wallace, W. H. L., division commanded 

Wallhill (Mississippi), Union troops at, 
187; Confederates at, 188 

Walnut Creek, crossing of, 448 

Walthall, E. C, Confederate troops com- 
manded by, 311 . 

Wapello, organization of troops in, 4 



War, prediction of end of, 10; prepara- 
tion for, 24; division of sentiment 
relative to, 44; transportation of muni- 
tions of, 60; change in character of, 
176; economic result of, 210, 211 
War, Secretary of, insi)ection of troops 
by, 34; report made to, 35; peace 
terms criticised by, 457, 458; com- 
munication sent to, 457, 458 ; Sher- 
man criticised by, 477 
War, Secretary of (Texas), appointment 

of. 73 
War Department, message from, to Sixth 
Iowa, 10; orders from, 15, 132; offi- 
cer of, 441 ; criticism by members of, 
457 ; passes approved by, 479 
"War Eagle", troops transported by, 21, 

22 
War songs, singing of, 483 
Ward, Widow, plantation of, 191 
Ware, Isaiah, wound received by, 279 
Ware, Martin L., accidental injury of, 49 
Ware, V. Thornton, wound received by, 

370; announcement by, 386 
Warehouses, guarding of, 129 
Warren, Fitz Henry, camp named in 

honor of, 5 
Warrenton (North Carolina), Union 

troops at, 459 
Warrenton Junction (Virginia), Union 

troops at, 465 
Warsaw (Missouri), encampment of sol- 
diers near, 40; inarch of soldiers to, 
40, 44 
Warsaw road, troops along, 38 
Warthen, James H., wound received by, 
294 , ^^ 

Washington, George, birthday of, 54, 
171 257; reference to, 197; statue 
of, 450, 466; tomb of, 468 
Wasliington (D. C), problems of gov- 
ernment at, 1 ; news of battle near, 
10; Sixth Iowa ordered to, 10; mis- 
understanding of officers at, 65; Gen- 
eral Halleck called to, 121; Union 
headquarters at, 127; opinion of offi- 
cers at, 167; letter written at, 175, 
176; administration at, 215, 454; let- 
ter sent to officer in, 441 ; death of 
Lincoln at, 449; peace terms discussed 
at 452, 457; Union troops in, 452, 
465 473-475, 478, 479, 490; review 
of troops at, 470, 473, 484; conduct 
of soldiers at, 478; assignments made 
in 479; triumphal procession in, 490 
Washington Street (St. Louis, Missouri), 

troops marched down, 29, 30 
Wassaw Sound, Union troops at, 395 
Water, scarcity of, 206, 211, 282 315 
Wateree River, Union camp at, 417; de- 
scription of. 418 
Waterhouse, Allen C, battery command- 
ed by, 139 , . . f 
Waterloo (Alabama), Union troops at, 

224 
Water-valley (Mississippi), retreat of 

Confederates in, 152 • j u 

Watson, Charles W., wound received by, 

307 
Waugh, William H., death of, 99 
Wauhatchie, Union troops at, J.i6 



538 



INDEX 



Way, Eli B., wound received by, 318 

Wayne County, troops organized in, 4 

Wayne County (Indiana), Henry H. 
Wright born in, viii 

Wayne County (North Carolina), county 
seat of, 444 

Waynesborough (Georgia), Union troops 
at, 376 

Weather, effect of, on troops, 47, 48 

Weaver, John W., death of, 97 

Webbville (North Carolina), Union 
troops near, 439 

Webster, J. D., service of, at Shiloh, 88 

Weed, Edward S. (see Weed, Frederick 
F.) 

Weed, Frederick F., death of, 99 

Weldon Railroad, Confederate troops 
along, 436; Union troops along, 446, 
462 

Welker, Frederick, battery commanded 
by, 351, 353 

Wentworth, Albert, death of, 100 

West, organization in, for suppression 
of rebellion, 21 

West, Department of the, conununication 
to commander of, 43 

West Chickamauga Creek, Union troops 
along, 234 

West Point and Montgomery road, Con- 
federate troops along, 336 

West Point Military Academy, graduates 
of, 71, 72, 73 

West Point Railroad, Union troops along, 
321 

West Street (Savannah, Georgia), Union 
troops on, 387, 388 

West Tennessee, Department of, 127, 149 

West Tennessee Cavalry, assignment of, 
to brigade, 185 

Westenhaver, Marcellus, diary kept by, 
vii; wound received by, 98, 294, 311; 
Confederate flag found by, 182 

Western and Atlantic Railroad, junction 
of, 271 ; Union troops along, 282 

Western Department (Confederate), 
troops from, 95 ; inspection of, 120 

Western Department (Union), John C. 
Fremont in command of, 20 ; Confed- 
erate forces united against, 64 ; as- 
sembling of, at St. Louis, 65 ; troops 
from, 95: operations of, 127; troops 
in, 127, 155; success of, 158 

Western Division, service of General 
Beauregard in, 73 

West's Cross-Roads, Union camp at, 418 

Wharfboats, guarding of, 129 

Wharton, John A., report of battle made 
by, 81; troops commanded by, 81, 85; 
wound received by, 85 

Wheeler, Joseph, service of, as com- 
mander, 72, 90, 165, 227, 230, 256, 
262, 319, 350, 351, 358. 363, 365, 
369. 376, 418, 427, 436, 445; report 
to. 437 

Whippy Swamp Post Office, Union camp 
near, 399 

Whiskey, giving of, to Union troops, 152, 
171, 182, 191 

White (Confederate officer), troops com- 
manded by, 165, 172 



White, [J. F.], troops commanded by, 

154 
White, Richard E., service of, as cap- 
tain, 3 ; service of, as lieutenant, 4, 8 ; 
advance of troops under, 16; troops 
commanded by, 78; reenforcements 
brought by, 80; death of, 84, 101 
White Hall, Union camp at, 353, 356 
White House, Union troops at, 474, 475 
Whitecotton, Peter, activities of, 255 
Whitefield, J. W., Confederate troops 

commanded by, 202 
Wliite's Station, Union camp at, 125; 

orders issued at, 130 
^^^liteside (Tennessee), Union troops at, 

250 
Whitmore, William S., wound received 

by, 99 
Wiggins, Jackson, death of, 99 
Wiggins, Lafayette, wound received by, 

97; capture of, 97 
Wightman, George H., death of, 241 
Wilder, J. T., brigade commanded by, 283 
Will, Jacob, wound received by, 100 
Williams, A. S., Union troops command- 
ed by, 355 
Williams, John, service of, as captain, 3, 
4, 7, 78; command of regiment bv, 
82; wound received by, 84, 100, 129, 
138; promotion of, 116; absence of, 
129; resignation of, 138 
Williams, Reuben, brigade commanded 

by, 263, 309 
Williams, Vine G., wound received by, 

101 
Williamson, James A., brigade command- 
ed by, 355 
Willis, Robert A., promotion of, 390 
Willison, A., Union troops led by, 235, 
236, 266, 356; wound received by, 
266, 331 
Wills, R. A., service of, 492 
Wills A'alley, Union troops in, 230; tak- 
ing of prisoners in, 243 
Willsev, George W., death of, 99 
Willsey, William H., death of, 99 
Wilmington (North Carolina), capture 
of, 425; Union troops sent to, 426; 
refugees sent to, 428 
Wilmington River, Union troops along, 

394 
Wilson, Captain, train destroyed by 

troops of, 172 
Wilson, Arthur, wound received by, 101 
Wilson, Eliakin S., wound received by, 

241, 293 
Wilson, James C, loss of, in action, 214 
Wilson's Creek (Missouri), battle of, 25, 
27, 196; death of Nathaniel Lyon at, 
27; promotion of soldiers at, 28; ru- 
mor of Confederate troops at, 41 ; 
reenforcements needed at, 42 ; visit to 
battlefield of, 43 ; Union camp near, 
377 
Winchester (Tennessee), march of troops 

to, 229 
Windsor (South Carolina), Union troops 

at, 403 
Wine, giving of, to soldiers, 59 ; taking 
of, 223 



BD -83 



INDEX 



539 



Winnsborough (South Carolina), Union 
troops at, 413 

Winter camp, lack of facilities for, 45 
conditions in. 252, 253; location of, 
055 

Winter Camp (Grand Junction, Tennes- 
see), activities at, 162-176 

Winter quarters, establishment of, 4*, 
50 158; homesickness in, 50 

Withers, J. M., service of, as commander, 
72 

Wolf River, Union troops along, 156 

Wolf's plantation, Union troops near, 406 

Women, hardships of, 210; patriotism 

of, 481 . ^ J J K„ 

Wood, General, brigade commanded by. 

Wood, Isaac N., capture of, 97; wound 
received by, 97, 241 

Woodruff, Jackson, capture of, 98 

Woods, Charles B., division commanded 
by, 309, 336, 337, 347, 353, 355, 364, 
369, 379, 381, 387, 402, 406, 431. 
432 468, 472; orders given by. iio; 
appearance of, 407; service of, at 
Columbia, 413 ; presence of, in camp, 
429 , J 

Woods, William B., brigade commanded 
by, 412, 413, 472; service of, at Co- 
lumbia, 413 . ,. 

Woodward, Emmet B., service of, as lieu- 
tenant, 6; selection of, as regimental 
adjutant, 8; participation of, m pa- 
rade, 11 ; service of, as Captain, 130 

Wooley's bridge. Union troops at, 273 

Worthington, Thomas, troops of, 60 

Worthington, W. H., orders received by, 
relative to advance of troops, 15, 
reinforcements brought by, 18; return 
of, to Keokuk, 19 

Wounded, care of, 93, 94, 101, 211, 292, 
371; number of, 297 

Wright, Lieutenant-Colonel, wound re- 
ceived by, 331 



Wright, Charles W., wound received by, 

242, 294; death of, 317 
Wright, Cyrus P., service of, as lieuten- 
ant, 164; death of, 271 
Wright, George W., wound received by, 
292 , . ^ 

Wright, Henry H., history of regiment 
compiled by, v, vii, viii, x; death of, 
V, vii; sketch of life of, viii; commis- 
sion of, 390 ^ . 
Wright, Julius C, membership of, m 

band, 9; discharge of, 132 
Wridit's bridije, Union troops at, 378 
Wry, Joseph, wound received by, 213 
\Vvatt (Mississippi), Union troops at, 

145, 153, 179, 180 
Wyatt's Crossing, Union troops at, 4b<J 
Wyatt's plantation, Union camp on, 466 

Yazoo River, battle near, 158; Union 

troops along, 195, 212 
Yazoo road, scouting along, 19/ 
Yazoo Valley, defeat of Union troops in, 

153- fortifications in, 196; topography 

of, 196 
Yellow fever, fear of, 372 
Yellow Stone, Union troops at, 352 
Yin'^ling, William, capture of, 100 
Yockna River, marches in vicinity of, 

142-161 . , 

Yocknapatalfa River, Union troops along, 

150 
"Yockney", reference to, 484 
Yocona River (see Yockna River) 
Young, Henrj', death of, 101 , , , 
Young, W. H., brigade commanded by, 

341 
Young's Point, camp at, 195 

Zickerick, W., battery commanded by, 

351, 353 
Zinimer, James M., capture of 98 
Zollicoffer Building (Nashville, Tennes- 
see), veterans' camp at, 259 









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